Date:06/10/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/10/06/stories/2004100608711800.htm

Sport - Cricket

Kallis among five S. African cricketers of the year

DURBAN, OCT. 5. South Africa's gifted World-class batsman Jacques Kallis has been named as one of the country's five cricketers of the year 2004. Kallis, who was recently honoured during the ICC awards ceremony in London, was picked because of his five consecutive centuries against the West Indies in a home series and against New Zealand in New Zealand early this year.

The prolific batsman was named along with Herschelle Gibbs, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and a provincial player, Alan Dawson, at the SA Cricket Annual Cricketers of the Year awards ceremony in Johannesburg on Monday night.

Gibbs, Nel and Ntini were recognised for their performance against the West Indies. Gibbs made three centuries in three Tests against the West Indies.

Ntini and Nel were the main strike bowlers against the tourists with Ntini taking 29 and Nel taking 22 wickets in the series. Ntini was also the leading Test wicket-taker in the world during the 2003 calendar year, taking 59. — PTI