Wiaan Mulder is hoping to build on his successful year after collecting three CSA awards.
The 18-year-old all-rounder and SA U19 captain was the star of the annual CSA Breakfast Awards held last month, walking away with U19 Cricketer of the Year, Schools T20 Cricketer of the Year and Khaya Majola Cricket Week Player of the Tournament.
‘It’s really amazing to see all the rewards after the effort put in all the way, particularly from this past year,’ Mulder said. ‘A lot of hard work goes into achieving these awards and I’m fortunate it went my way this time.’
The St Stithians old boy, who has been described as a genuine all-rounder, has a bright future ahead of him.
‘It’s really amazing to have that kind of support and people pinning their hopes on you for what you love doing,’ he said. ‘Fortunately I can be an all-rounder because I do both and it feels really special to be noticed.’
Mulder is now the SA U19 captain, a role he recently recieved before the tour to Sri Lanka, where they drew the Test series and narrowly lost the ODI series. He will now turn his attention to the forthcoming season.
‘I’m really excited to find out what’s ahead of me this year. Hopefully I can get amateur game-time here and there, just keep on playing for my school, working hard and keep on training.
‘Trying to improve is the most important thing, and hopefully I can do that.’
Mulder says the U19 World Cup in Bangladesh was his main highlight, even though South Africa failed to qualify for the latter stages of the main draw as a result of coming third in their group behind the hosts and Namibia. Mulder was the top wicket-taker for his side with 11 in five games.
‘The World Cup was definitely the highlight for me.
‘Even though it didn’t go our way, it was really amazing to see the rest of the world in one place. It was also a chance to see what they had to offer in terms of ability, in terms of skill and the different types of players that were all there in one place. There was so much of talent, so the World Cup for me was a real highlight for everyone.’
Mulder scored a total of 428 runs and claimed 22 wickets this year, both internationally and at domestic level.
Photo by Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
