Henderson wins award

Date: Wednesday 02 December 2009

Claude Henderson has been named as one of the five cricketers of the year by the South African Cricket Annual.

Henderson, who recently signed a new two year deal at Leicestershire after being granted British citizenship, follows in the footsteps of Brian Davison and Dillon du Preez, who also won the award while playing for Leicestershire.

Henderson was selected because of his outstanding performances for Cape Cobras during the 2008-09 season, including taking 39 wickets at 27.15 in the first class SuperSport series.

This was the highest number of wickets taken by any individual bowler and included a best haul of 7-64 against the Warriors in East London.

Henderson also took 16 wickets in the one day MTN Domestic Championship, with a best of 4-25 against the Titans, which earned him the Man of the Match award.

The spinner also appeared in the Champions League recently for the Cobras, as the side reached the semi-finals of the tournament. Henderson was an important member of the team.

The Cobras Coach, Shukri Conrad said Henderson deserved the honour. He said: "Claude is a team man and he makes a major contribution off the field. He played a massive role with our academy spinners.

“He'd play until he's 50 - he just loves playing the game and talking cricket. He is always positive with a smile on his face. He's got a great attitude and work rate - the consummate professional. Younger players can take a lesson from that."

The award is a prestigious one handed out by the South African Cricket Annual. There have been five selected cricketers of the year since 1952.

Davison (Leicestershire 1971-1983) was a previous winner in 1973 for his performances for Rhodesia, who then participated in the South African domestic competition, and du Preez won it last year after excelling for the Eagles.