ESPNcricinfo Awards 2022 Associate batting nominees: Ackermann breaks South African hearts, Munsey downs West Indies
Strong innings from the T20 World Cup last year make up our shortlist
Peter Della Penna
10-Mar-2023
Colin Ackermann's unbeaten 26-ball 41 dashed South Africa's hopes of making it to the T20 World Cup semi-final • Mark Brake/ICC/Getty Images
Jan Frylinck
44 vs Sri Lanka
T20 World Cup, Geelong
Namibia's promising start against Sri Lanka could have easily fizzled out after captain Gerhard Erasmus fell at 76 for 4 in the 12th over. Then two more wickets fell in the space of three balls, including David Wiese for a golden duck, to make it 93 for 6. Frylinck stemmed the rot. Though he didn't overpower Sri Lanka's bowlers, he still managed a strike rate of 157 by staying exceptionally busy. He absorbed just four dots in his 28-ball stay, and combined with JJ Smit in a 70-run stand to shift momentum Namibia's way in a famous win.
44 vs Sri Lanka
T20 World Cup, Geelong
Namibia's promising start against Sri Lanka could have easily fizzled out after captain Gerhard Erasmus fell at 76 for 4 in the 12th over. Then two more wickets fell in the space of three balls, including David Wiese for a golden duck, to make it 93 for 6. Frylinck stemmed the rot. Though he didn't overpower Sri Lanka's bowlers, he still managed a strike rate of 157 by staying exceptionally busy. He absorbed just four dots in his 28-ball stay, and combined with JJ Smit in a 70-run stand to shift momentum Namibia's way in a famous win.
George Munsey
66 not out vs West Indies
T20 World Cup, Hobart
Left-hander Munsey typically excels against spin, particularly the reverse sweep, but barring one attempt in the second over, he shelved the shot in this match. Instead, all nine of his fours - including three consecutive ones against Alzarri Joseph early in the innings - came against quick bowlers. Munsey also survived four DRS reviews, not to mention a rain disruption that stunted his early momentum. Two of those reviews came in the 19th over and paved the way for a crucial final flourish as he hit three fours in the final over to set up a platform for victory.
66 not out vs West Indies
T20 World Cup, Hobart
Left-hander Munsey typically excels against spin, particularly the reverse sweep, but barring one attempt in the second over, he shelved the shot in this match. Instead, all nine of his fours - including three consecutive ones against Alzarri Joseph early in the innings - came against quick bowlers. Munsey also survived four DRS reviews, not to mention a rain disruption that stunted his early momentum. Two of those reviews came in the 19th over and paved the way for a crucial final flourish as he hit three fours in the final over to set up a platform for victory.
Muhammad Waseem
50 vs Namibia
T20 World Cup, Geelong
A player whose form has tended to blow hot and cold since making his debut for the UAE, Waseem turned hot on a cold night in Geelong to dash Namibia's hopes of a second consecutive trip to the Super 12s. Whenever it seemed like he might be slowing down, the beefy right-hander showcased his enviable power. He hit three sixes, mixed in with some uncharacteristically less flashy shots. The biggest of them went into the top tier of seats over square leg off JJ Smit in the 12th over.
50 vs Namibia
T20 World Cup, Geelong
A player whose form has tended to blow hot and cold since making his debut for the UAE, Waseem turned hot on a cold night in Geelong to dash Namibia's hopes of a second consecutive trip to the Super 12s. Whenever it seemed like he might be slowing down, the beefy right-hander showcased his enviable power. He hit three sixes, mixed in with some uncharacteristically less flashy shots. The biggest of them went into the top tier of seats over square leg off JJ Smit in the 12th over.
Colin Ackermann
62 vs Bangladesh
T20 World Cup, Hobart
Ackermann walked in to face a hat-trick ball on the third delivery of the chase, and though he survived it, things continued to go sideways for Netherlands. Two of Ackermann's partners were run-out in the fourth over to make it 15 for 4 in a chase of 145. Yet, Ackermann plugged away to instil hope of an unlikely comeback, striking the ball cleanly to bring up his first T20I half-century. Netherlands fell nine runs short in the end, but that was no fault of Ackermann, who turned around an innings that at one stage looked like it would be wrapped for under 100.
62 vs Bangladesh
T20 World Cup, Hobart
Ackermann walked in to face a hat-trick ball on the third delivery of the chase, and though he survived it, things continued to go sideways for Netherlands. Two of Ackermann's partners were run-out in the fourth over to make it 15 for 4 in a chase of 145. Yet, Ackermann plugged away to instil hope of an unlikely comeback, striking the ball cleanly to bring up his first T20I half-century. Netherlands fell nine runs short in the end, but that was no fault of Ackermann, who turned around an innings that at one stage looked like it would be wrapped for under 100.
Colin Ackermann
41 not out vs South Africa
T20 World Cup, Adelaide
It was a day when several Dutch players with South African roots had a little more motivation to battle hard in spite of already being knocked out of contention for the semi-finals, and one of those was Ackermann. The Port Elizabeth native and former South Africa Under-19 player provided a finishing kick for the Dutch that sparked more World Cup heartache for South Africa. Entering at 97 for 2 in the 13th over, Ackermann scored 41 of the final 61 runs in the innings, including two sixes off Wayne Parnell in the final over, which proved to be just enough for a 13-run win.
41 not out vs South Africa
T20 World Cup, Adelaide
It was a day when several Dutch players with South African roots had a little more motivation to battle hard in spite of already being knocked out of contention for the semi-finals, and one of those was Ackermann. The Port Elizabeth native and former South Africa Under-19 player provided a finishing kick for the Dutch that sparked more World Cup heartache for South Africa. Entering at 97 for 2 in the 13th over, Ackermann scored 41 of the final 61 runs in the innings, including two sixes off Wayne Parnell in the final over, which proved to be just enough for a 13-run win.
Peter Della Penna is ESPNcricinfo's USA correspondent @PeterDellaPenna