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CSA congratulates Wisden trio

Cape Town - Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Wednesday congratulated three members of the Proteas Castle Lager Test squad - Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis and Dale Steyn - on being honoured as three of the prestigious Wisden Cricketer’s Almanack five Cricketers of the Year.

The Almanack in its 150th year of publication will be released on Thursday.

Wisden Editor Lawrence Booth commented on their selection as follows: “Hashim Amla was the batting sensation of the summer, gracefully compiling South Africa’s first Test triple-century, and top-scoring in eight international innings out of 11. The only surprise about the selection of Jacques Kallis was that he hadn’t been chosen earlier. At The Oval, he made 182 and balanced South Africa’s attack superbly. His all-round excellence was a crucial difference between the sides. Dale Steyn cemented his status as the world’s most frightening fast bowler, blowing England away on the final afternoon at The Oval, then undermining them in the Third Test at Lord’s.”

Graeme Smith, captain of the victorious 2012 squad, won the honour back in 2004 and this award can only be won once in a career.

This is the third time that South Africa has produced three of the five Cricketers of the Year: Graeme and Peter Pollock and Colin Bland in 1966 and Dale Benkenstein, Mark Boucher and Neil McKenzie in 2009.

“What a wonderful way for a South African celebration of the 150th edition of this famous publication - known affectionately as the ‘cricketer’s bible’,” commented CSA Acting CEO Naasei Appiah.

“This recognition is richly deserved as has been clearly outlined by Editor Lawrence Booth in his comments. This is a proudly South African moment that all South Africans can enjoy.

“It has truly been a phenomenal year for our Proteas and they have been and will continue to be an inspiration to the nation.”

The other cricketers named in Wisden’s Five are West Indies all-rounder Marlon Samuels and South African-born England opening batsman Nicholas Compton.
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