Photo Credit: Gallo Images / Dolphins Cricket
Hollywoodbets Dolphins and Proteas star Keshav Maharaj was the big winner at the 2022 Cricket South Africa Awards winning both the CSA Men’s Cricketer of the Year award and the CSA Men’s Players’ Player of the Year award.
Maharaj has been a stand-out player in the men’s national side and apart from his recent test match success; he has become a crucial part of both the ODI and T20 squads too.
He recently captained the men’s ODI side to a drawn series in England following the injury to regular captain Temba Bavuma.
“This is probably one of the most humbling but highest moments of my career,” Maharaj said.
“When you dream of playing for South Africa you don’t think you are going to get there but then when you do and you get named the South African’s Men’s Player of the Year it is incredibly special.
“Not only for me but also for my family back home and after all the sacrifices they made to get me to where I am I think it will also be an emotional moment for them.”
KZN Cricket didn’t finish there as another Protea, David Miller, bagged the SA Fans’ Player of the Year award.
In one of the most significant categories, Momentum Proteas and Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal Women’s spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba was given the Makhaya Ntini Power of Cricket Award, which is awarded to a player that has used cricket, perseverance, hard work and skill to change their circumstances.
President of the KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union Yunus Bobat sees these awards as an important moment for the Union.
“We are incredibly proud of these awards and the achievements of Keshav,” Bobat said.
“His dedication to his craft has been rewarded and we hope that this inspires young children in the province to strive for what he has achieved.
“We are also incredibly proud of David and Nonkululeko on their awards.
“They too have become significant cricketing role models in the province.”
For CEO of KZN Cricket Heinrich Strydom, it’s always a privilege to welcome awards to players from the province.
“We have seen the incredible work that Kesh has put into his game and he is now reaping the rewards,” Strydom said.
“We are so proud of how crucial a member of the national squad, across all three formats, he has become.
“Along with Dave and Nonkululeko we are really proud of the KZN players that won awards.
“Nonkululeko’s story is one that we hope will continue to inspire young women around the province and she’s become a brilliant ambassador for the game.”
Hollywoodbets Dolphins head coach Imraan Khan was full of praise for Maharaj and his award.
“Kesh has worked incredibly hard at his game for a number of years and it’s brilliant to see him being rewarded for that,” Khan said.
“He is a player with so much to offer and has been an invaluable member of the Proteas set up.
“He’s always been a brilliant team player and to be given the Players’ Player of the Year award is a testament to that.”
Name of Author: Dolphins Cricket
The Hollywoodbets Dolphins represent KwaZulu-Natal (Coastal) in South Africa. They compete in the CSA 4-Day Series, Momentum One-Day Cup, and Mzansi Super League T20. Their home venues are Kingsmead Cricket Ground in Durban and Pietermaritzburg Oval in Pietermaritzburg.
