Proteas paceman Dale Steyn was named Wisden's Leading Cricketer in the World for 2013 in the annual that was published on Wednesday.
Australia paceman Ryan Harris and opening batsman Chris Rogers were rewarded for their performances in the two recent Ashes series by being included as two of Wisden's Five Cricketers of the Year.
They were honoured by the annual publication, often referred to as the 'bible of cricket', along with England batsman Joe Root, India's Shikhar Dhawan and Charlotte Edwards, the captain of the England women's team.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) congratulated Steyn on this honour.
“South African fast bowler Dale Steyn is Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World for 2013, a year in which he took 51 test wickets in only nine games at an average of 17. Steyn was scarcely less lethal in one-day internationals, claiming 27 at under 16. Most remarkable, perhaps, for a man of his pace, was his meanness: an economy-rate of 3.65 was comfortably the lowest among bowlers to have sent down 100 one-day international overs in 2013. Fast, penetrative and parsimonious – it was some combination.
“He shows no signs of slowing down or losing his enthusiasm. ‘I enjoy taking wickets more than most people can understand,’ he says. ‘I’m addicted to that feeling. I live in the moment, but I hope there are many more years of it to come.’
“Steyn is the second South African to be selected as Wisden’s Leading Cricketer in the World, after Jacques Kallis in 2007. In 2013 he was selected as one of Wisden’s Five Cricketers of the Year.”
“This is a singular and great honour for Dale who has deservedly won just about every accolade available to him in the sport of cricket,” commented CSA Chief Executive, Haroon Lorgat. “The whole of South Africa can be proud of what he has achieved today as Wisden’s leading cricketer and the humility he shows is perfect for the world’s youth.
“Other than for a brief period earlier this year when he was overtaken by his colleague, Vernon Philander, he has been the world’s leading test match bowler for the past five years and has been an obvious choice in the ICC select test XI.
“His selection in the two limited overs formats for the Proteas has been constrained by his large work load but he showed during the recent ICC World Twenty20 that he is invaluable to the Proteas in these formats as well.
“His epic last over against New Zealand was the making of legends.
“Wisden has become known as the ‘Cricketer’s Bible’ – and with good reason. It has certainly stood the test of time in the world of cricket.
“The fact that Jacques Kallis is the only other South African to have received this prestigious recognition speaks volumes for Dale Steyn’s international standing.
“This is indeed an achievement for all South African’s to celebrate,” concluded Lorgat.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The five Cricketers of the Year have been selected since 1889 by Wisden's editor primarily on their performances in the previous English season.
That would in part explain the absence of Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who did not take part in the first Ashes series in England but played a decisive role in the second.
Harris was the leading wicket-taker across the two series played mostly last year, the first won by England 3-0 at home before Australia crushed their rivals 5-0 in the return.
Rogers, recalled five years after his single previous test, scored 830 runs in the 10 tests against England.
Dhawan was named player of the series in last year's limited overs Champions Trophy tournament, won by India, and scored 187 off 174 balls against Australia on his test debut at Mohali.
Root's selection was based on two innings, his maiden century against New Zealand at Headingley in May and the 180 he scored against Australia in July, which made him the youngest England batsman to reach three figures at Lord's.
Edwards became the second woman behind compatriot Claire Taylor in 2009 to be named a cricketer of the year after she led England to back-to-back Ashes victories within the space of six months.
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. He did this thing where he'd look into your eyes and "vibrate" his eyeballs.