At the annual KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union awards on Friday evening, exciting batsman Marques Ackerman was given the KZNCU Player of the Year Award following a breakthrough season that saw him debut for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins in all three formats.
Hollywoodbets are proud sponsors of the Hollywoodbets Dolphins, Hollywoodbets KZN Coastal and Hollywoodbets KZN Inland cricket teams.
It has been a rapid rise through the ranks for Ackerman this season and a century on debut in the CSA 4-Day Franchise Series announced the arrival of the 23 year old left-hander at franchise level.
“I think when I arrived in the Dolphins squad I felt like I needed to prove myself,” Ackerman said.
“When I managed to score that hundred in Maritzburg I felt that I belonged at that level and it didn’t feel overwhelming at all for me.
“I made sure that I stamped my mark and wanted to make it look like I could play at that level.”
While the domestic season has drawn to a close, Ackerman’s season is not over as he heads over to the United Kingdom for another stint in the Lancashire League.
Ackerman said that he will take some time to enjoy the moment of being awarded the most prestigious award from the KZN Cricket Union.
“I have never really won any awards so it’s a really cool feeling to be getting something like this,” he mentioned with a smile.
“I have a few days off now and then I am heading over to the UK but I am looking forward to another season over there this year!”
Ackerman was also awarded the Provincial 3-Day Player of the Season award while spinner Smanagliso Nhlebela won the Provincial 1-Day Player of the Season and Bradley Porteous was awarded the Provincial Newcomer of the Year award.
Young Yves Kamanzi was awarded the Academy Player of the Season following his selection for the national academy side after the franchise academy week.
Following his debut for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins earlier in the season and the part he has played in the South Africa Under 19 side, Thamsanqa Khumalo was awarded the Under 19 Player of the Season award.
Dheyanka Naidoo was the recipient of the Women’s Provincial Player of the Year award.
The important Presidents Award was presented to Rajan Ramsaroop.
Ramsaroop, after his playing days, went into the administrative space with Clares Cricket Club and for the past 25 years his work has transformed the club into what it is today.
Hollywoodbets Dolphins coach Grant Morgan was the guest of honour at the awards and handed out the prizes to the various winners.
2019 KwaZulu-Natal Cricket Union Awards
Special Awards
Blind Cricketer of the Season: Donovan Van Noordwyk
Deaf Cricketer of the Season: Avinash Kallichuran
Intellectually Impaired Cricketer: Sebastian Govender
SA Women’s Team: Chloe Tryon
Scorer of the Season: Kaeiln Puckree
Academy Player of the Season: Yves Kamanzi
National Week Coach of the Season: Dinesha Devnarain
KFC Mini Cricket Coach of the Season: Mohamed Zuber Khan
Umpire of the season: Sibonga Shabangu
Castle Women’s League A League Winner: Chatsworth Sporting
Castle Challenge League Stream 1 League Winners: ILembe
Castle Premier League Winner: Clares CC
RPC/Hubs/Township Awards:
U11 Player of the Season: Rehaan Jhungbathur
U13 Girls Player of the Season: Seshnie Naidu
U13 Player of the Season: Romashan Pillay
U15 Player of the Season: Bonga Shezi
U16 Girls Player of the Season: Wandile Xulu
U18 Girls Player of the Season: Courtney Gounden
U18 Player of the Season: Prealin Naidoo
Session Coach of the Season: Simo Thula Gumede
RPC/HUB Coach of the Season: Happy Ndlovu
RPC/HUB of the Season: Chatsworth RPC
Provincial Awards:
U13 Player of the Season: Romashan Pillay
U15 Player of the Season: Rasen Naidoo
U17 Rural Player of the Season: Mohhamed Taqv
U17 Player of the Season: Thabiso Shangase
U19 Girls Player of the Season: Nonkululeko Mlaba
U19 Player of the Season: Thamsanqa Khumalo
Senior Rural Player of the Season: Neill Jordan
Women’s Provincial Player of the Season: Dheyanka Naidoo
Provincial 3-Day Bowler of the Season: Keith Dudgeon
Provincial 3-Day Batter of the Season: Blayed Capell
Provincial 3-Day Player of the Season: Marques Ackerman
Provincial 1 Day Bowler of the Season: Smangaliso Nhlebela
Provincial 1 Day Batter of the Season: Michael Erlank
Provincial 1-Day Player of the Season: Smangaliso Nhlebela
Provincial Newcomer of the season: Bradley Porteous
Provincial Player of the Season: Marques Ackerman
KZN Presidents Award: Rajan Ramsaroop
More information can be found at www.dolphinscricket.co.za.
