Lions Cricket leads the charge at CSA Awards

Blind Cricket Player of the Year. Buhle Bidla.

The pride of Lions Cricket will stride forth into the new season confident and ambitious, having collected no less than 11 awards at last Thursday’s CSA Awards ceremony held at Emperors Palace.

The Cricket South Africa (CSA) Pathway Awards were the first of two events hosted by CSA, acknowledging top performers from grassroots through to the senior amateur levels – on the field and off it.

Scooping no less than five awards, the Lions Cricket pack can hold their head high in celebration of a great season past, that celebrated the Spirit of Champions and the promise of cracking cricket ahead.

“Celebrating Greatness is as important as striving for it,” says Lions Cricket CEO, Jono Leaf-Wright. “So to see our hardworking Pride members rewarded for their unwavering commitment, love of the game and steadfast services to our valued cricketing community is heartwarming, inspiring and genuinely appreciated. I am pleased to see that our focus on our administrative roles and responsibilities were rewarded too in our Scorers Association of the Year award. Being recognised for your service, your knowledge, your kindness, your hard work is key for personal growth and that’s what this Pride sets out to accomplish: Produce not only good players on the field, but grow even better people off it.”

In the age-group category, the CSA U19 Men’s Player of the Year award went to Central Gauteng Lions’ Jason Rowles while 17-year-old DP World Lions superstar Karabo Meso (Steyn City School) received the Girls Player of the Tournament for the inaugural Schools SA20.

DP World Lions all-rounder Fay Cowling was recognised as the Women’s Newcomer of the Season. Buhle Bidla has awarded the Blind Cricket Player of the Year. Central Gauteng Lions Scorers Association earned the title of Scorers Association of the Year.

Next up was the CSA Professional Awards and #ThePrideOfJozi would have had high expectations, eager to add to the impressive trophy cabinets housed at home: The DP World Wanderers Stadium.

Going one better, the Lions Cricket professional ranks secured six wins including the prestigious Coach of the Year awards for both the DP World Men’s Team and the DP World Women’s Team.

DP World Lions and National Test captain Temba Bavuma was named Test Player of the Year as well as Fans’ Player of the Year, as voted for by the public.

Men’s Players’ Player of the Year went to 30-year-old right arm fast bowler Kagiso Rabada, with DP World Lions Men’s speedster Kwena Maphaka walking away with the T20 Challenge Player of the Season.

Then came the Coaches co-conquests. Leading the charge by example. DP World Lions Men’s head coach Russel Domingo retained his title as Division 1 Coach of the Year. Striding alongside Domingo, was DP World Lions Ladies head coach Shaun Pretorius, receiving the Hollywoodbets Pro Series Coach of the Year.

“Returning back to camp with 11 awards is an incredible team effort from bottom up,” concluded Leaf-Wright. “We thank the Pride’s partners for their unwavering support – you allow our players and administrators to inspire, lead and set the standard. It has been a truly remarkable season of excellence, sportsmanship and service resulting in the growth of the game and the communities in which Lions Cricket serve and probably far beyond those too. To all other winners: Lions Cricket congratulates to you too, and thanks you for pushing our players and people to ‘Be our best’.”

With the off-season having drawn to a close and players well-rested, restored and ready to ROAR; training is under way ahead of the 2025/26 season which kicks off with the Lions Cricket season launch on 18 September.

CSA Pathway Awards for Lions Cricket

CSA u19 Men’s Player of the Year award: Jason Rowles.

Schools SA20 Girls Player of the Tournament: Karabo Meso.

Women’s Newcomer of the Season: Fay Cowling.

Blind Cricket Player of the Year: Buhle Bidla.

Scorers Association of the Year: Central Gauteng Lions Scorers Association.

CSA Professional Awards for Lions Cricket

Test Player of the Year: Temba Bavuma.

Fans’ Player of the Year: Temba Bavuma.

Men’s Players’ Player of the Year: Kagiso Rabada.

T20 Challenge Player of the Season: Kwena Maphaka.

Division 1 Coach of the Year: Russell Domingo.

Hollywoodbets Pro Series Coach of the Year: Shaun Pretorius