5 Sporting Stars of 2009
Many stars performed, and newcomers to every game, started they're career with a bang, but in this blog, I will be selecting my 5 best performers of 2009.
Jean Paul Duminy - Cricket:
Jean Paul Duminy burst onto the test scene, in late December as a part of the South African team to take on the Australians'. Duminy replaced the injured Ashwell Prince, and wowed the selectors. JP was a part of the superb display that reached down the target of 414, scroing an un-beaten fifty. Not only that, but in the next test, the Springbok were in all-sorts, being 7-184, but a strong 166* from Duminy boosted the team to an end total of 459.
Not only is JP good at test level, but the kid is awesome in the limited-overs form of the game, with an average of: 35.91, and a highest score of 111*. However, he did not start his ODI career very well, with scores such as: 4,3,0,0, and 22. By early 2008, Duminy started to get the hang of things, reaching over 50 most of the time.
Duminy most certainly deserved the award, which he got. The award is: 'South Africa Player of the Year in 2009'
He will be a vital aspect of the future South African team.
Highlight of the year: It was one of the greatest outfield catches in the world. D.Hussey smashes it down to long mid-off, and Duminy slides across the grass, and catches it.
Juan Martin Del Potro - Tennis:
Del Potro turned pro in 2005, and was the youngest player ever in the top 200 in the world. He moved himself an outstanding 900 places in the rankings list.
But most importantly, Juan was a standout this year, moving himself up 68 places in the world rankings to get himself to world number 5. He started the year with a tournament win at the Heineken Open, where he defeated Sam Querry of the USA. Not only that, but he won the annual US Open, defeating Swiss god, Roger Federer.
The man still has plenty of years left in him, and he could become the world number one in the future.
Highlight of the year: When he won the US Open and jumps onto the floor, following a Federer mistake.
YouTube- Juan Martin del Potro Winner US Open 2009
Jarryd Hayne - Rugby League:
How can we forget Hayne?
Hayne netted himself the prestigious 'Dally M Medal' beating Johnathan Thurston by 1 point. He has scored many more awards such as: Rookie of the year, Winger of the year, and fullback of the year.
Jarryd can play many positions, like: Centre, Five-Eighth, and Wing, but he plays better in the fullback position.
Hayne started his form around the middle of the year, then he was practically, un-stoppable.
Chips over the heads of people, breaking the other team's defence, and running through the gaps. But at the start of the year, Hayne wasn't so impressive because he kept getting shuffled around positions, and couldn't find rhythm.
Highlight of the year: Winning the Dally M Medal.
Sebastian Vettel - Formula One:
Sebastian Vettel has raced for Toro Rosso, and BMW Sauber. Vettel finally got a call-up for the Indianapolis Grand Prix; replacing Robert Kubica in the BMW. Sebastian managed to clinch one point for his team in the race. Vettel then went on to sign a deal with Toro Rosso, where he won his first grand prix at Monza. The following year, he replaced David Coulthard in the Red Bull.
Vettel had a sublime year in his Red Bull, scoring 84 points and a second place spot in the standings, only 11 points behind Championship winner; Jenson Button. His season didn't start off well. He finished 13th at the Melbourne Grand Prix, crashing with Robert Kubica, and a 15th place finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix, once again crashing. But he proved he is no easy beat, winning the Chinese Grand Prix the following race.
Ever since that race, he was in the points every time, except for two retirements, at the European Grand Prix, and the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Vettel will win a Drivers' Championship in his career. His season this year was excellent, hence why he is on my list.
Highlight of the year: When Red Bull got the 'one-two' at the British Grand Prix, where Sebastian Vettel won.
Michael Clarke - Cricket:
Michael Clarke averages: 49.24 with the bat in test cricket. This year has been by far his best year. Many hundreds, and many wickets. He started the year with a massive score of: 138. In the most recent series against England, he scored some superb knocks of: 83, 136, 103*, and an unlucky 93. When Australia where in tough times, he got the middle order going, and making some quick-fire runs. Pup is currently ranked 5th in the ICC batting rankings.
Clarke averages: 42.62 in ODI cricket. He doesn't give his wicket away cheaply, and he showed it against England, scoring 253 runs in the ODI series, with a lowest score of 38. Michael is ranked 16th in the ODI batting rankings.
Not only is the guy a batter, but he bowls part-time off-spin. He has troubled many batsman around the world, they turn a reasonable amount. Remember when India only needed a few more runs to win one test, and Ponting brought on Clarke? And he took the Indians' to the cleaners, bagging 3 wickets in one over? Well, that's what I mean.
Clarke averages: 39.73 with the ball in tests, and 35.09 with the ball in ODI's.
Michael has won the 'Allan Border Medal' twice in his career, in 2005 and 2009, not surprisingly.
Highlight of the year: When Michael runs the quick single and gets his 100 against South Africa, nearly getting run-out by a deadly throw from Dale Steyn. Sorry, I couldn't find a youtube video.
Jean Paul Duminy - Cricket:
Jean Paul Duminy burst onto the test scene, in late December as a part of the South African team to take on the Australians'. Duminy replaced the injured Ashwell Prince, and wowed the selectors. JP was a part of the superb display that reached down the target of 414, scroing an un-beaten fifty. Not only that, but in the next test, the Springbok were in all-sorts, being 7-184, but a strong 166* from Duminy boosted the team to an end total of 459.
Not only is JP good at test level, but the kid is awesome in the limited-overs form of the game, with an average of: 35.91, and a highest score of 111*. However, he did not start his ODI career very well, with scores such as: 4,3,0,0, and 22. By early 2008, Duminy started to get the hang of things, reaching over 50 most of the time.
Duminy most certainly deserved the award, which he got. The award is: 'South Africa Player of the Year in 2009'
He will be a vital aspect of the future South African team.
Highlight of the year: It was one of the greatest outfield catches in the world. D.Hussey smashes it down to long mid-off, and Duminy slides across the grass, and catches it.
Juan Martin Del Potro - Tennis:
Del Potro turned pro in 2005, and was the youngest player ever in the top 200 in the world. He moved himself an outstanding 900 places in the rankings list.
But most importantly, Juan was a standout this year, moving himself up 68 places in the world rankings to get himself to world number 5. He started the year with a tournament win at the Heineken Open, where he defeated Sam Querry of the USA. Not only that, but he won the annual US Open, defeating Swiss god, Roger Federer.
The man still has plenty of years left in him, and he could become the world number one in the future.
Highlight of the year: When he won the US Open and jumps onto the floor, following a Federer mistake.
YouTube- Juan Martin del Potro Winner US Open 2009Jarryd Hayne - Rugby League:
How can we forget Hayne?
Hayne netted himself the prestigious 'Dally M Medal' beating Johnathan Thurston by 1 point. He has scored many more awards such as: Rookie of the year, Winger of the year, and fullback of the year.
Jarryd can play many positions, like: Centre, Five-Eighth, and Wing, but he plays better in the fullback position.
Hayne started his form around the middle of the year, then he was practically, un-stoppable.
Chips over the heads of people, breaking the other team's defence, and running through the gaps. But at the start of the year, Hayne wasn't so impressive because he kept getting shuffled around positions, and couldn't find rhythm.
Highlight of the year: Winning the Dally M Medal.
Sebastian Vettel - Formula One:
Sebastian Vettel has raced for Toro Rosso, and BMW Sauber. Vettel finally got a call-up for the Indianapolis Grand Prix; replacing Robert Kubica in the BMW. Sebastian managed to clinch one point for his team in the race. Vettel then went on to sign a deal with Toro Rosso, where he won his first grand prix at Monza. The following year, he replaced David Coulthard in the Red Bull.
Vettel had a sublime year in his Red Bull, scoring 84 points and a second place spot in the standings, only 11 points behind Championship winner; Jenson Button. His season didn't start off well. He finished 13th at the Melbourne Grand Prix, crashing with Robert Kubica, and a 15th place finish at the Malaysian Grand Prix, once again crashing. But he proved he is no easy beat, winning the Chinese Grand Prix the following race.
Ever since that race, he was in the points every time, except for two retirements, at the European Grand Prix, and the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Vettel will win a Drivers' Championship in his career. His season this year was excellent, hence why he is on my list.
Highlight of the year: When Red Bull got the 'one-two' at the British Grand Prix, where Sebastian Vettel won.
Michael Clarke - Cricket:
Michael Clarke averages: 49.24 with the bat in test cricket. This year has been by far his best year. Many hundreds, and many wickets. He started the year with a massive score of: 138. In the most recent series against England, he scored some superb knocks of: 83, 136, 103*, and an unlucky 93. When Australia where in tough times, he got the middle order going, and making some quick-fire runs. Pup is currently ranked 5th in the ICC batting rankings.
Clarke averages: 42.62 in ODI cricket. He doesn't give his wicket away cheaply, and he showed it against England, scoring 253 runs in the ODI series, with a lowest score of 38. Michael is ranked 16th in the ODI batting rankings.
Not only is the guy a batter, but he bowls part-time off-spin. He has troubled many batsman around the world, they turn a reasonable amount. Remember when India only needed a few more runs to win one test, and Ponting brought on Clarke? And he took the Indians' to the cleaners, bagging 3 wickets in one over? Well, that's what I mean.
Clarke averages: 39.73 with the ball in tests, and 35.09 with the ball in ODI's.
Michael has won the 'Allan Border Medal' twice in his career, in 2005 and 2009, not surprisingly.
Highlight of the year: When Michael runs the quick single and gets his 100 against South Africa, nearly getting run-out by a deadly throw from Dale Steyn. Sorry, I couldn't find a youtube video.
