Ntini wins Cricketer of the Year award

Makhaya Ntini has won the Mutual & Federal South African Cricketer of the Year award for the second year running.

Ntini, the winner in 2004-05, ended the season with 19 wickets in the home series against Australia and 20 against New Zealand. Mark Boucher, Jacques Kallis and Shaun Pollock were the others nominated for the award.

"Yet again, Makhaya is a worthy winner. He's both the smiling face and the steely cutting edge of South African cricket," said Bruce Campbell, the managing director of Mutual & Federal. "His unprecedented run of five-wicket hauls makes him the year's outstanding performer. Everyone at Mutual & Federal is proud to salute this great champion of the game."

Shaun Pollock, the top-ranked bowler and allrounder in the latest ICC ODI rankings, picked up the Standard Bank One-Day International Cricketer of the Year Award. Pollock was also honoured by his fellow players when he received the SA Players' Player of the Year Award.

Johan van der Wath, the allrounder who came into the international scene during South Africa's tour of Australia, bagged the SA Newcomer of the Year award while AB de Villiers was voted SuperSport Fans Cricketer of the Year.

Apart from recognising international players, the awards also honour domestic performers and administrators. The Coach of the Year award went to Phil Russell of the Nashua Dolphins. Chris Scott of the Wanderers was adjudged Groundsman of the Year while Marais Erasmus was Umpire of the Year.