Proteas all-rounder Marco Jansen has been named the ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2022.
The 22-year-old was on Wednesday named the top player in internationals ahead of New Zealand’s Finn Allen, India’s Arshdeep Singh and Afghanistan youngster Ibrahim Zadran.
This is a remarkable rise for Jansen, who just over a year ago had yet to play for South Africa.
36 Test wickets
As the 2023 calendar begins, the 2.09-metre tall left-armer has become an integral part of the Proteas’ national set-up where he has featured in 12 matches across all three formats.
Klerksdorp-born Jansen was particularly influential in the Test arena where he played eight matches and took an incredible 36 wickets, second only to South Africa’s all-rounder Kagiso Rabada (47).
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“I’m at a loss for words now after what I think has been a dream year for me,” said a delighted Jansen. “Not in my wildest dreams would I have imagined taking 36 wickets and playing eight Test matches for the Proteas in my first year of international cricket.
“So to achieve this feat, with the cherry on top of being named the ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year, is unbelievable. I am very grateful to everyone who allowed me to get to this point so early in my career.
‘Fifer in the Oval’
Jansen’s wickets in Test match cricket came at an impressive average of 19.02 with the lanky paceman bagging two four-wicket hauls and one five-for (5/35), which came at the Oval in London during the Proteas tour to the country. August and September.
He also recorded a half-century (59) when South Africa faced Australia in Melbourne during the year-end tour. Overall with the bat, he amassed 234 runs in 13 innings last year.
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“Those were the two best shows for me,” Jansen said. “Got my first Test against England at the Oval, and hit my first Test half-century against Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
“To achieve that milestone at two of the most historic venues for Test cricket, it’s a memory I’ll cherish forever.”
In the other two formats, Jansen played three one-day internationals and a solitary T20I as he continued to stand out in the limited-overs set-up.