Jansen's stellar rise sees Proteas all-rounder win top ICC award

After a stellar 12-month period that's seen him become a regular for the Proteas in Test cricket, all-rounder Marco Jansen was named the ICC Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year on Wednesday. 

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The 22-year-old won the award ahead of New Zealand's Finn Allen, Arshdeep Singh of India and Afghanistan youngster Ibrahim Zadran.

It has been an incredible rise for Jansen, who just over a year ago was yet to play for the national team.

As the 2023 calendar kicked in, the 2.09-meter-tall left-armer had become an integral part of the national setup, where he has featured in 12 matches across all three formats.

Jansen has made his mark in Test cricket, in particular, where he has played eight matches, taking 36 wickets. 

His wickets in the game's longer format came at an impressive average of 19.02, with the lanky paceman bagging two four-wicket hauls and one five-for (5/35), which came at the Oval in London during the Proteas' tour to the country during August and September.

He also recorded a maiden half-century (59) when South Africa faced Australia in Melbourne during their year-end tour. Overall with the bat, he accumulated 234 runs in his 13 innings over the past year.

Following the news of the ICC accolade, Jansen acknowledged that his first international year superseded his expectations. 

"I am lost for words right now after what I think has been a dream year for me," a delighted Jansen said. 

"Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined taking 36 wickets and playing eight Test matches for the Proteas in my first year of international cricket.

“So to have achieved this feat, with the cherry on top of being named as the ICC Emerging Men's