South African pacer Makhaya Ntini scooped three of the major awards at an annual function here, including the Mutual & Federal SA Cricketer of the Year Award.

Ntini was Wednesday also named Castle Lager/MTN Test Cricketer of the Year and was honoured by his fellow players when he received the SA Players' Player of the Year Award.

The fast bowler, currently ranked fourth in the Test bowling rankings, took 58 Test wickets in 14 matches in the period under review (July 2004 to May 2005).

His figures of 13 for 132 in the second Test against the West Indies in Trinidad were the best match figures in South African Test history.

Ntini lost out to his skipper Graeme Smith for the Standard Bank ODI Cricketer of the Year Award.

Left-handed opener Smith scored 840 runs in 19 matches, including four centuries, and led his team to series victories over England, Zimbabwe and a whitewash against the West Indies, from where the side returned straight to the awards ceremony. 

Jacques Kallis, last season's triple winner, only won the SuperSport Fans Cricketer of the Year, while AB de Villiers' remarkable rise to international prominence was recognised when he was named SA Newcomer of the Year.

In his maiden international season, the winner of last season's Coca-Cola U19 Player of the Year Award scored 967 runs in 11 Tests.

Lance Klusener was named the SuperSport Series Cricketer of the Year for the second season in succession and Alicia Smith confirmed her rich potential in being named SA Women's Cricketer of the Year.

Twenty-nine awards were presented to amateur and professional players through all age groups and abilities, as well as umpires, groundsmen and scorers.

The panel of judges was chaired by former fast bowler Vince van der Bijl. Also on the panel were South Africa's Player of the Century Graeme Pollock, former national selector Peter Bacela, former fast bowler Steve Elworthy and commentator Aslam Khota.

--Indo-Asian News Service