The power of youth
The contenders for the Young Cricketer of the Year award
Wisden Cricinfo staff
29-Oct-2003
The following are the results of the Young Cricketer of the Year award:
The winner
Graeme Smith
By the time Graeme Smith had announced his arrival as South Africa's hugely impressive new captain, a very different face of youth had taken centre stage. Even now it is impossible to believe that Smith was just 22 years old when he cracked 621 runs in his first three innings of South Africa's Test series in England. His unflinching approach to batting and captaincy earned him a vast army of admirers, and though England clawed to a 2-2 series draw at the final attempt, Smith was the unanimous choice as South Africa's Man of the Series.
Graeme Smith
By the time Graeme Smith had announced his arrival as South Africa's hugely impressive new captain, a very different face of youth had taken centre stage. Even now it is impossible to believe that Smith was just 22 years old when he cracked 621 runs in his first three innings of South Africa's Test series in England. His unflinching approach to batting and captaincy earned him a vast army of admirers, and though England clawed to a 2-2 series draw at the final attempt, Smith was the unanimous choice as South Africa's Man of the Series.
The other nominees
James Anderson
Within two months of his debut, James Anderson was representing England at the World Cup. In an otherwise disappointing tournament for England, he picked up 10 wickets in five matches, including a never-to-be-forgotten matchwinning spell against Pakistan under the lights at Cape Town. From that moment on, Anderson was the hottest property in English cricket, with go-faster stripes in his hair and rockets on his boots. He picked up five wickets on his Test debut - at Lord's, no less - and followed up with another one-day demolition of Pakistan, which included a wicket with his first ball and a hat-trick with his last three.
James Anderson
Within two months of his debut, James Anderson was representing England at the World Cup. In an otherwise disappointing tournament for England, he picked up 10 wickets in five matches, including a never-to-be-forgotten matchwinning spell against Pakistan under the lights at Cape Town. From that moment on, Anderson was the hottest property in English cricket, with go-faster stripes in his hair and rockets on his boots. He picked up five wickets on his Test debut - at Lord's, no less - and followed up with another one-day demolition of Pakistan, which included a wicket with his first ball and a hat-trick with his last three.
Omari Banks
Spearheading the West Indian youth brigade is a young offspinner, Omari Banks. As a bowler, his figures are little to write home about: on debut against Australia, he was spanked for 204 runs in his only innings. But Banks has more than one string to his bow - quite apart from a fiercely competitive edge, the boy can bat. His willpower was plain for all to see on a tumultuous morning in Antigua in the final Test against the Aussies. West Indies had been set a world record 418 for victory. When Banks came to the crease at No. 8, they were still 130 runs adrift, and a humiliating whitewash was looming. But Banks cames to the rescue, first in support of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, then as an equal partner with the aggressive Vasbert Drakes. Together they knocked off the 46 runs required for victory, and Banks was feted in his native Anguilla with a motorcade around the island. If these men, and more, are anything to go by, cricket's future is in extremely capable hands.
Spearheading the West Indian youth brigade is a young offspinner, Omari Banks. As a bowler, his figures are little to write home about: on debut against Australia, he was spanked for 204 runs in his only innings. But Banks has more than one string to his bow - quite apart from a fiercely competitive edge, the boy can bat. His willpower was plain for all to see on a tumultuous morning in Antigua in the final Test against the Aussies. West Indies had been set a world record 418 for victory. When Banks came to the crease at No. 8, they were still 130 runs adrift, and a humiliating whitewash was looming. But Banks cames to the rescue, first in support of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, then as an equal partner with the aggressive Vasbert Drakes. Together they knocked off the 46 runs required for victory, and Banks was feted in his native Anguilla with a motorcade around the island. If these men, and more, are anything to go by, cricket's future is in extremely capable hands.