The ITEC Knights allrounder, Dian Forester, received recognition for his breakthrough season in first-class and senior cricket by being named as their Most Valuable Player of the Year for 2023/24.

The Knights had and outstanding season in Division 2, and while they weren’t able to claim any silverware, they did achieve their main objective of earning promotion back up to Division 1, and this with a new-look team after they managed to keep only six players that played in their fateful 2022/23 campaign.

Two of the newly contracted players in Forrester and Garnett Tarr both received accolades for their outstanding contribution in earning promotion, while the seasoned campaigners, Jacques Snyman and Patrick Botha, were also recognised.

The big-hitting Jacques Snyman was named as the T20 Player of the Year for his 209-runs, while he also took three wickets.

The wicketkeeper, Tarr, was named as the One-Day Cup Player of the Year for his 597-runs, which was the most in the competition, while Snyman scored the second most with 447.

The Knights red-ball captain, Patrick Botha was named the 4-Day Player of the Year for his 565-runs, with a highest score of 212 not out.

The big winner was the allrounder, Forrester, who was named as the Most Value Player of the Year or Player of the Year for his 1050-runs and 26-wickets in all competitions.

Forrester who had never played at this level before the 2023/24 told OFM Sport that he never would have imagined it turned out this well.

“I'm extremely happy about my award and from a personal point of view it's amazing and I'm truly blessed that God put me in this position to play for the Knights,” said the 23-year-old allrounder.

“A year and half ago, I was still a club player and now I've won one of the biggest accolades you can at your franchise. So, I couldn't have asked for a better first season.

“From team perspective we would have loved to add a trophy to it, but we can only come back stronger and that’s definitely the goal for Division 1, to win as many trophies as we can.

“I can't wait for Division 1, and I want to do exactly what I did the past season, but just better. I want to work harder, improve and showcase my talent even more.”

Forrester scored two centuries and three fifties in the 4-Day Series with a highest of 127 not out, while he took nine wickets, with a best of 2/10.

In the One-Day Cup he scored 353-runs in eight games with a highest of 128, while he turned in a best bowling performance of 6/48, which included a hat-trick in his debut game against the Garden Route Badgers. In the T20 Challenge, Forrester, scored 137-runs and took three-wickets.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport