Brits and Whitehead top of SWD

KNYSNA NEWS - Proteas Women's Knysna-based batter Tazmin Brits was last week named the SWD Women's Cricketer of the Season at the Garden Route Badgers Annual Awards Function.

This came alongside the announcement that former Knysna Cavaliers and SWD player Sean Whitehead was again announced as the SWD Men's Player of the Season.

The awards function is held annually by SWD Cricket as a means to recognise and commemorate the very best that the region had to offer in the season gone by. It was hosted by SWD at De Opstal Country Lodge once again, taking place on Saturday 10 June.

As can be expected this time of year in Oudtshoorn, the evening air was chilly to say the least, but this did not stop attendees of the awards from enjoying a hearty and warm celebration of the many accolades given out.

Knysna and Plett clubs were right at the forefront of the awards given out.

Knysna Cavaliers' Francois Bonthuys (centre) was named the SWD Premier League Bowler of the Season.

Knysna Cavaliers received the Fair Play Award for the 2022/23 SWD Premier League season, as well as commemorations for their SWD T20 Competition triumph and for finishing runners-up in the SWD Premier League.

On the Plett side of things, Plettenberg Bay Pioneers received commemorations for finishing as runners-up in the SWD Women's Division 2 T20 League.

When it comes to players, Knysna was once again in the spotlight. Cavaliers' Francois Bonthuys received the Premier League Bowler of the Season award, having taken 24 wickets at an average of 14,67. Sean Whitehead meanwhile was named the SWD T20 Competition Player of the Season with 44 runs to his name along with nine wickets at an average of 3,89.

While not a player herself, Knysna-based umpire Kerrin Klaaste received a Special Merit Award for a season that saw her officiate the ICC Women's U19 T20 World Cup, be appointed to the ICC Umpires Development Panel, officiate the Varsity Cup final and finally officiate during the Legends League Masters in Doha, Qatar.

Sean Whitehead is the SWD Men's Player of the Season once again. Photo: Blake Linder

Whitehead's exploits were brilliant beyond his club efforts though, as he also shone for the Garden Route Badgers this season. This saw him claim the title of SWD Men's Player of the Season for the second year in a row.

The Badgers will undoubtedly miss him, as he has departed for the Warriors.

The most well-received award announcement on the night belonged to Tazmin Brits though. The Proteas Women's batter was named the SWD Women's Cricketer of the Season, off the back of what can only be described as an incredible season that saw her represent the Proteas Women during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup earlier this year.