Smit, Green shine bright at cricket awards

Andrew Poolman – The outstanding all-round contribution of JJ Smit landed him the two big prizes at Cricket Namibia’s awards function for the 2020-2021 season, as he walked away with both player of the season and player’s player of the season.He proved his batting expertise, scoring a century to clinch a win against the South African A side in Windhoek, as well as 93 from just 29 balls against Zimbabwe A.At the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, he also contributed important knocks against the Netherlands and Scotland to round off Namibia’s first-ever World Cup and Super 12 wins.Returning to one-day cricket and a home series against Oman, Smit took over the team captaincy from the injured Gerhard Erasmus and once again led from the front with back-to-back 50s and a five-wicket haul.His calm approach under pressure underlies his exceptional ability at international level, showing leadership as well as being a true gentleman off the field.“Namibia’s successful T20 World Cup debut in the UAE was like watching a Netflix series – you just could not miss it or look away,” Cricket Namibia president Rudie van Vuuren said in his speech.In the women’s game, 23-year-old Kayleen Green took the Capricorn Eagles player of the year award, having scored 184 runs in nine innings, while also taking 13 wickets in 11 matches.Some of the other prominent awards on the night:Coach of the year: Pierre de BruynEagles T20 player of the year: JJ SmitEagles 50-overs player of the year: JJ SmitEagles T20 World Cup best batsman: David Wiese (227 runs, average 45, strike rate 127).Eagles T20 World Cup best bowler: Jan Frylinck (nine wickets, average 18, economy rate 7.4)Eagles T20 World Cup best fielder: Jan FrylinckEagles T20 World Cup player of the tournament: David WieseEagles most improved player: Michael van Lingen.Raymond van Schoor award: Mauritius NgupitaCapricorn Eagles women’s team players player of the year: Victoria Hamunyela Best batter: Suné Wittmann (245 runs in 11 matches)Best bowler: Victoria Hamunyela (17 wickets in 12 matches)U19 World Cup Africa qualifiers player of the tournament: Ramon WilmotCSA U16 cricket week player of the tournament: Henry van WykCricket Namibia lifetime honours award: Abie Louw (Namibia player 1994; former national selector and national team manager)Long-time service award: Otto Mack (Walvis Bay)Richelieu T20 franchise player of the tournament: Craig Williams (311 runs, nine wickets).

Smit, Green shine bright at cricket awards

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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Smit, Green shine bright at cricket awards

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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