South African batsman Jacques Kallis has been named as one of the country's five cricketers of the year 2004.
Kallis, who was recently honoured during the ICC awards ceremony in London, was picked because of his five consecutive centuries against the West Indies in a home series and against New Zealand in New Zealand early this year.
The prolific batsman was named along with Herschelle Gibbs, Andre Nel, Makhaya Ntini and a provincial player, Alan Dawson, at the SA Cricket Annual Cricketers of the Year awards ceremony in Johannesburg on Monday evening.
Colin Bryden, editor of the SA Cricket Annual, said it was an opportune time to honour the cricketers even though the team had not performed well recently.
He said the awards would give confidence to the players especially at a time when they prepare for the tough tour to India and the home series against England over the next few months.
Gibbs, Nel and Ntini were recognised for their performance against the West Indies. Gibbs made three centuries in three Tests against the West Indies.
Ntini and Nel were the main strike bowlers against the tourists with Ntini taking 29 and Nel taking 22 wickets in the series. Ntini was also the leading Test wicket-taker in the world during the 2003 calendar year, taking 59.
