It was a glorious night for Border batting sensation Marco Marais as he claimed two of the biggest awards at a glittering Border Cricket 2018 Awards Gala Dinner held at EL’s Buffalo Park last night.
The world record-breaking Marais walked away with the coveted Player of the Season gong as well as the batsman of the season award after a tremendous campaign that saw him plunder 1140 runs in both the three- and one-day competitions.
His world record-breaking exploits came in the three-day match against Eastern Province in November last year, where he smashed the fastest first-class triple century in recorded history, shattering a 96-year-old record in the process.
His irresistible form then continued throughout the season as he amassed an impressive 1140 runs over the two competitions, finishing over 300 runs ahead of the next most prolific Border batsman.
Marais beat out Border captain Gionne Koopman and bowler Phaphama Fojela in the player of the season race, while he beat Koopman and Kabelo Sekhukhune to the batting award.
“I think Marco fully deserved the awards he picked up on the night as he had a really good season,” said Border cricket CEO Thando Booi.
“It was good to see him break a number of records and it was also good to see him recognised not only at this level but at a franchise level as well.
“There has been a lot of interest in Marco and we always knew that he had this talent and it is good to see him reap the rewards.”
Sithembele Langa then rounded out the major winners on the men’s front by picking up the bowler of the season award ahead of Fojela and Clayton Bosch.
On the Border women’s team side Maryka Kirchoff was the big winner on the night, picking up two major awards after being nominated in all three categories.
She claimed the player of the season and batter of the season awards after some impressive performances, while Zintle Mali picked up the bowler of the season award.
Other awards saw all the internal league winners announced, club awards handed out, rural award winners named and the national representatives also honoured.
The Border umpire of the season was also named, with the award going to Graham Esterhuizen, while the Border scorer of the season was Nolufefe Lupiwana.
“Overall the awards handed out talks to our focus on development, it is really nice to see a lot of young players showing what they are made of, the commitment they are putting in and then getting what they deserve at the end,” said Booi.
Marais star on night of top awards
The world record-breaking Marais walked away with the coveted Player of the Season gong as well as the batsman of the season award after a tremendous campaign that saw him plunder 1140 runs in both the three- and one-day competitions.
His world record-breaking exploits came in the three-day match against Eastern Province in November last year, where he smashed the fastest first-class triple century in recorded history, shattering a 96-year-old record in the process.
His irresistible form then continued throughout the season as he amassed an impressive 1140 runs over the two competitions, finishing over 300 runs ahead of the next most prolific Border batsman.
Marais beat out Border captain Gionne Koopman and bowler Phaphama Fojela in the player of the season race, while he beat Koopman and Kabelo Sekhukhune to the batting award.
“I think Marco fully deserved the awards he picked up on the night as he had a really good season,” said Border cricket CEO Thando Booi.
“It was good to see him break a number of records and it was also good to see him recognised not only at this level but at a franchise level as well.
“There has been a lot of interest in Marco and we always knew that he had this talent and it is good to see him reap the rewards.”
Sithembele Langa then rounded out the major winners on the men’s front by picking up the bowler of the season award ahead of Fojela and Clayton Bosch.
On the Border women’s team side Maryka Kirchoff was the big winner on the night, picking up two major awards after being nominated in all three categories.
She claimed the player of the season and batter of the season awards after some impressive performances, while Zintle Mali picked up the bowler of the season award.
Other awards saw all the internal league winners announced, club awards handed out, rural award winners named and the national representatives also honoured.
The Border umpire of the season was also named, with the award going to Graham Esterhuizen, while the Border scorer of the season was Nolufefe Lupiwana.
“Overall the awards handed out talks to our focus on development, it is really nice to see a lot of young players showing what they are made of, the commitment they are putting in and then getting what they deserve at the end,” said Booi.
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