Mutual & Federal Press Release: Five South African cricketers of the year

Johannesburg - At the launch of the Mutual & Federal SA Cricket Annual for 1999 the top five South African cricketers of 1999 were made known. The announcement was made during a black-tie affair in the Long Room at the Wanderers by Colin Brydon, the editor of the annual and cricket correspondent for the Sunday Times.

Herschelle Gibbs and Jacques Kallis, two of South Africa's outstanding young players, joined Daryll Cullinan, Lance Klusener and Jony Rhodes on the roll of honours. The last three having won the award previously.

Kallis, 23, an automatic choice after a year of world class performances, established himself as one of the leading players in the world with his solid batting, swing bowling and good fielding. He starred on the tour of England in 1998 and was man of the series in South Africa's clean sweep of the West Indies.

Gibbs, 25, made the transition from being a fringe international player to an automatic choice for the national team, cementing his place with a double century and a century in the Test series in New Zealand. He was also one of the outstanding batsmen in the World Cup. Herschelle has proved both his cricketing quality and mental strength after being brought into the South African team in difficult circumstances as an opening batsman against the West Indies.

Cullinan's record breaking feats in New Zealand, where he, at 32 years old, won the man of the series and made a South African Test record score of 275 not out finishing the series with a average of 427, earned his third accolade after being one of the top five in 1989 and 1996.

Rhodes, 30, was recognised for the second time, after being Cricketer of the Year in 1992, for his international performances during the year which included hundreds against England and West Indies. Rhodes is still considered as one of the best one-day players in the world.

Klusener, 28, follows his nomination of 1997 with the outstanding personality of 1999. Lance was named as Player of the World Cup where he amassed 281 runs off 230 balls at an average of 140.5. He also took 17 wickets during the tournament.

Players just missing nomination were Alan Donald and Shaun Pollock who were again outstanding for South Africa, while Vasbert Drakes deserved to be acknowledged for his feats at provincial level.