Durbanville Cricket Club’s Pieter Malan was named the 2016-17 Sunfoil 3-Day Cup Cricketer of the Year during Cricket South Africa’s amateur awards ceremony in Johannesburg on Saturday.
A prolific six months for Malan, who was key to Durbanville Cricket Club finishing in second position in the Western Province Cricket Association premier league, culminated with a Cape Cobras contract for the 2017-18 season.
“I have been in Cape Town for four years now – and Durbanville Cricket Club have looked after me from the very beginning. They’ve supported me through some tough times – and I love going back to play for them,” the 27-year-old Malan told Club Cricket SA at the awards ceremony.
“It’s a real family environment there. I know some guys, once they have reached a certain level, don’t like to go back and play club cricket, but I love it. It’s a lot of fun with good people – and it has helped me a lot.
“I know playing for the Western Province team wasn’t as busy as, say, it will be with the Cobras, but I will always try play for Durbanville Cricket Club. As a bowler, you can’t bowl all the time. As a batsman, though, you can always bat some more. So, yes, I’d like to play for Durbanville as often as I can. They’ve really looked after me – and I’d like to return the favour.”
Malan, who is currently recovering from a left shoulder operation, beat fellow nominees Patrick Botha and Phaphama Fojela, of the Free State and Boland respectively, to Saturday’s accolade.