Uwe Birkenstock, a member of the Steinhoff Maties first cricket team, was named Cricket South Africa’s “Student Cricketer of the Year” at an awards breakfast function held at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on 10 September.

Birkenstock, a top order batsman, enjoyed a fine season on various fronts. He was named a member of the national USSA team as well as Boland’s “Cricketer of the Year”.

He has represented Maties since 2009 and will be available for the club again during the forthcoming 2013/14 season. His batting average of 40.86 in 39 first class matches is indicative of his status as one of the most promising players in the Western Cape. He is currently also contracted by the Cape Cobras franchise.

“Maties Cricket is very proud of Uwe’s achievement, particularly since he has played an important role in the club’s recent success,” says Mr Ludwig Gerstner, Sport Manager of Maties Cricket. “We have the utmost confidence in his abilities and believe that he will build on this success in the coming season – both at Maties and at provincial level.”

Article issued by Stellenbosch University