Mutual & Federal – South African Cricket Annual 2010

Several exciting young cricketers made claims to be included among the five Mutual & Federal South African Cricket Annual Cricketers of the Year who will be named at the launch of the 2010 edition of the publication in Johannesburg on October 19.

The 2009/10 season was marked by several outstanding batting performances at both Test and franchise level.

Three young batsmen, Dean Elgar (23), Rilee Rossouw (21) and Stephen Cook (27) scored more than 1000 runs in the SuperSport Series first-class competition while Colin Ingram (25) was the top-scorer in domestic limited overs cricket and David Miller (21) impressed so much with his hard-hitting batting that he was included in South Africa’s squad for the limited overs matches in the West Indies at the end of the season.

But the youngsters had plenty of rivals for inclusion on the list of those honoured by the Annual – an award which is only made once in a player’s career.

Alviro Petersen made the breakthrough to Test cricket during the year, making a century on debut against India, while Ryan McLaren was another who made a successful step up to international level, with his achievements including a South African best of five for 19 in a Twenty20 international against the West Indies.

It was a successful season for the Chevrolet Warriors, with the Eastern Cape franchise winning both franchise limited overs tournaments. The Warriors, who were well led by Davy Jacobs, had several outstanding performers, including Rusty Theron who confirmed his reputation as one of the best “death” bowlers in the country.

Vernon Philander’s bowling played a major role for the Nashua Cape Cobras, who won the SuperSport Series, while Thami Tsolekile had an excellent season for the Highveld Lions.

The 688-page publication covers all aspects of South African cricket, including full reports of all South Africa’s international matches, from the Champions Trophy in September 2009 through to the tour of the West Indies which ended in June 2010.

The feature articles include an assessment of the career of Makhaya Ntini, who played in his 100th Test match last season, by his former teammates and fellow fast bowler Shaun Pollock, and an article to mark the retirement from international umpiring after a distinguished career by Rudi Koertzen.

This year’s Annual will be the last to be sponsored by the Mutual & Federal Insurance Company after 14 years supporting the highly-regarded publication.

Colin Bryden, who has been Editor of the Annual for 16 years, including the full period of the sponsorship, paid tribute to Mutual & Federal.

“Mutual & Federal have been ideal sponsors,” said Bryden. “Their generosity has made it possible for the Annual to be a world-class publication, with contributions from some of the world’s leading cricket writers and personalities. The company has also provided outstanding logistical support while at the same time respecting the editorial independence of the Editor and the contributors.”

Mutual & Federal is a member of the Old Mutual Group.