Viljoen Zimbabwe's young cricketer of the year (15 May 1997)

16/5/97

Viljoen Zimbabwe's young cricketer of the year

Zimbabwe Independent

ZIMBABWE'S young cricketer of the year for the 1996/97 season, Dirk Viljoen, left the country yesterday for Adelaide, Australia, where he will attend the Commonwealth Bank Cricket Academy.

The 20-year old all-rounder, who was called to the senior side for the tri nation tournament in Sharjar, United Arab Emirates in March, will join other young cricketers from around the world in the three week intensive course. Last year, seam bowler, Victor Olonga attended the academy.

Viljeon excelled in the sport as a schoolboy until he was selected to play in a first class match for Mashonaland and in the One-days for Zimbabwe.

He played for Zimbabwe under-19 team between 1994 and 1996 and he had a memorable tour of South Africa last year when he scored 200 runs in one match and averaged 73 in the three match tour.

Last year, he played county cricket in the Midlands Combined Counties League between April and September and averaged 54 in 62 matches. Veteran junior cricket coach, Mike Whiley is confident that Viljoen has the pedigree to become one of the finest all-rounders in the country. "As a batsman, he has a very good technique and good footwork, enabling him to play both fast and spin bowling equally well. "When bowling, he has a good variation of pace and loop, with a good arm ball. He is also able to bowl the chinaman. "He is a true all-rounder with sustainable credentials as both batsman and bowler," said Whiley