Andy Flower is Cricketer of the Year (30 April 1999)

30 April 1999

Andy Flower is Cricketer of the Year

The Zimbabwe Independent

Vice captain Andy Flower won the Nick Benatar Trophy after being selected Cricketer of the Year for the fourth time while the Bob Nixon Trophy for the most improved Under-21 Trophy was won by Andy Blingnaut. The Headmaster of Prince Edward School Clive Barnes won the Field Coleman Trophy for the best Administrator.

These awards were part of the National Breweries' $400 000 sponsorship of cricket which also saw all teams who participated in the Castle Lager National League 1998/99 going home with something.

The winners were presented their prizes at the Zimbabwe Cricket Union (ZCU)'s Annual Prize-giving ceremony in Harare last week.

All the teams in the first, second, third and fourth league received some different substantial amounts of money with the Old Hararians getting $35 000 for topping the first league and $18 000 for participating in the knockout.

Mac Club who were the first in the second league walked away with $20 000 and $12,000 for competing in the knockouts while BSC got $15 000 and $8,000 for winning the third league. Manicaland II pocketed $10 000 for being first in the fourth league and $6,000 for entering the knockouts.

ZCU President Peter Chingoka who graced the occasion said that Cricket was now developing in the country and it had managed to raise the Zimbabwe flag so high.

"Zimbabwe has managed to put a great side for the world cup for the first time since 1985 and we hope the assistance we are getting from Natbrerw will in a long way help us to achieve our objectives as a Union," said Chingoka, adding that cricket is an expensive sport which needs more financial resources, particularly for the equipment which is very expensive.

Max Karombo, National Breweries's representative at the special occasion said that his organisation was going to continue sponsoring cricket as part of the company's social responsibility to enhance the image of the sport. "Natbrew will work closely with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union to develop the sport to dizzy heights and also help the Union to develop in different fields like equipment, awards and training facilities of international standards," said Karombo.

Andy Flower's success is likely to boost his morale and confidence as he and the Zimbabwe squad brace for the World Cup finals. The squad which many observers regard as the best team assembled in years is expected to finish at least among the top six.

Zimbabwe is in Group A together with South Africa, England, Sri Lanka, Kenya and India.

Source :: The Zimbabwe Independent Online