JC Balt capped a fine season when he won the sportsman of the year award at Wanderers Cricket Club’s annual awards on Friday night.
The young all-rounder shone with both bat and ball while he has also become a regular member of the national squad.
He also won the best batsman of the year award after scoring 317 runs in 11 innings at an average of 28.82.
The 22-year-old Balt made his T20 international debut for Namibia in 2024 and has since won 14 caps in that format, while he made his 50-over ODI debut last year, winning four caps to date.
He was also one of five Wanderers members who represented the national team this year with the others being JJ Smit, Bernard Scholtz, Jan Frylinck and Waldo Smith.
Wanderers failed to win a title in the premier league, although they did win the 40-over and T20 over titles in the first league.
In the premier league they reached both the T20 final and 50-over finals, but lost to arch rivals Windhoek High School Old Boys in both matches.
Balt said
“It’s a privilege to win this award, but the whole team worked very hard. Unfortunately we couldn’t win a trophy in the premier league – this season was a rebuilding phase, but I think we are starting to get to know each other a bit better now and we will come back hard the next season,” he said.
In the Premier League category, experienced all rounder Karl Birkenstock won three awards – the players player of the year award, the best fielder of the year award and the most dedicated player award.
Waldo Smith won the best junior award as well as the most improved player award.
Nyasha Nyashadzaishe won the best bowler award after taking 15 wickets at an average of 24.47, while JJ Smit won the best all rounder award after scoring 297 runs and taking 11 wickets.
In the First Division category, Johre Botha won the best batter as well as best all-rounder awards after scoring 126 runs and taking six wickets, while Michau Hugo won the best bowler award after taking eight wickets at an average of 18.50.
In the Premier League 2 category, Danie van Schoor won the best batter and best all-rounder awards after scoring 450 runs at an average of 64.30 and taking 12 wickets; while JP Blignaut won the best bowler award after taking 13 wickets at an average of 10.85.
Tommie van der Merwe won the chairman’s award; Juane Louw the administrator of the year award; and Andre Smith won the best supporter award.
