This past season I have truly been immersed in cricket and actually have my own opinions on nominations and the awards. Cricket South Africa released the nominations and this is what I am most excited for.

First off – I casted my vote as soon as it opened. The Fans’ Player of the Year award has some very good nominations: Annerie Dercksen, Kyle Verreyne and u19 star Karabo Meso make the list but my vote goes to the boy from Langa, Temba Bavuma.

The Domestic Competition

The Women’s domestic this season saw the introduction of the Hollywoodbets ProSeries – a new competition aimed at lifting the women’s game. the Pro20 champions were the WSB Western Province women and the DP World Lions won the Pro50

Most nominations fall for the WP and Lions Women and 1 for the Fidelity Ttans and it’s no shocker:

• Kayla and Dane were definitely names i heard a lot during the season and they’re both nominated for T20 Player of the Season.

• One Day sees Sune Luus nominated, who swept the accolades at the Titans awards and she really had an amazing season, also getting a new best One Day score for herself.

Mens Domestic:

• Titans Richard Das Neves got a nod for Division 1 Coach of the Year carrying on the amazing work done by Mandla Mashimbyi during the season
• There is a One Day Cup nomination for Dewald Brevis eho has had a stellar domestic season.
• I watched Dian Forrester while he was at TuksCricket and he is a great batter. His nomination for Domestic Newcomer of the Season is no surprise
• Another TuksCricket player Sean Gilson fromt the Tuskers got a Division 2 nomination and he had an amazing season winning the Division 2 treble with the team
• Theres no surprise with both the Dewald Drevis and Lhu-andre Pretorius nomination for the 4-Day Series. Pretorius just had a great Proteas Test debut and I know there’s a lot to come from him.

In Green and Gold

The Proteas Men’s International season was nothing short of amazing for me. From watching the Boxing Day Test Live and qualifying for the World Test Championship, it was a season for my books.

• Newcomer Award sees Baartman, Bosch, Maphaka and Breetzke nominated. Nobody did it like Corbin in my books, he had an amazing run in his Test debut and ODI debut. Truly a highlight for the season.
• Rickelton has had an amazing international season and gets the ODI nom, Test player nom and the Mens Player nomination.
• There’s a lot of great names on the T20i nomination list and i don’t know how they’ll decide.

Proteas Women’s International:

• When it comes to a stellar season captain Laura performed, she’s nominated for both the ODI and T20i Player of the Year
• Nonkululeko Mlaba and Anneke Bosch were my favourites to watch – i was glued to my seat for the T20 World Cup and had the privilege to work the England tour of South Africa match at Supersport Park and watch them live.
• The ODI noms are star studded: Annerie, Marizanne Kaap, Mlaba, Chloe Tryon and Laura make the list.

The awards are on the 31st of July and i will be sat to see who wins.

xx Thando