Cricket is a game of individual brilliance wrapped in team strategy—but what happens when every single player delivers a masterclass? In January 1999, during the final Test of South Africa’s tour of the West Indies, something extraordinary occurred: the entire team Player of the Match was awarded to all eleven Proteas players. It wasn’t a gimmick. It wasn’t a publicity stunt. It was a rare, official acknowledgment of total team domination in a sport that almost always singles out one hero .
This historic moment capped off a brutal 5-0 whitewash—the first ever inflicted by South Africa on the mighty West Indies—and remains one of the most unique decisions in Test cricket history. Let’s dive into how it happened, why it mattered, and why it may never happen again.
Table of Contents
- The Context: South Africa’s Historic Whitewash
- The Final Test: A Masterclass in Total Cricket
- Why the ‘Entire Team Player of the Match’ Decision Was Made
- Key Performers Who Made It Possible
- Has This Ever Happened Before or Since?
- What This Means for Cricket History and Fan Culture
- Conclusion: A Tribute to Collective Excellence
- Sources
The Context: South Africa’s Historic Whitewash
The 1998–99 series wasn’t just another tour—it was a statement. South Africa, led by Hansie Cronje, arrived in the Caribbean with a formidable squad featuring legends like Jacques Kallis, Shaun Pollock, Allan Donald, Jonty Rhodes, and Lance Klusener. The West Indies, once the undisputed kings of world cricket, were in decline but still respected at home.
What followed was a five-Test demolition. South Africa won every match—by margins of 351 runs, 10 wickets, 70 runs, 7 wickets, and finally, another 351-run victory in the fifth Test at Georgetown, Guyana . This was the first time the West Indies had ever been whitewashed in a five-Test home series, making the achievement even more monumental for the visiting side.
The Final Test: A Masterclass in Total Cricket
The fifth Test (January 29 – February 2, 1999) was the exclamation point on South Africa’s dominance. After posting 549/8 declared in their first innings—powered by centuries from Gary Kirsten (116) and Daryll Cullinan (103)—the Proteas bowled out the West Indies for just 135 and 223 in their two innings .
Every department fired on all cylinders:
- Batting: Five different batters scored over 40 runs.
- Bowling: Six bowlers took wickets; Pollock and Donald shared 10 between them.
- Fielding: Jonty Rhodes pulled off his trademark run-outs and sharp stops.
There was no single standout performer—because everyone was outstanding. That’s what made the post-match award so fitting.
Why the ‘Entire Team Player of the Match’ Decision Was Made
Traditionally, the Player of the Match award goes to one individual whose contribution was decisive. But in this case, the match referee—former England captain MJK Smith—faced an impossible choice. As he later explained, “It was a team effort from start to finish. To pick one would be unfair to the others” .
This decision reflected a deeper truth about cricket: sometimes, victory isn’t about a lone warrior but about seamless synergy. From the openers setting the tone to the tail-enders adding crucial runs, and from the new-ball bowlers to the part-timers chipping in, South Africa operated as a single, flawless unit.
Key Performers Who Made It Possible
While the award went to the whole team, certain performances deserve special mention:
- Gary Kirsten & Daryll Cullinan: Their first-innings tons laid the foundation for an unassailable total.
- Shaun Pollock: 5/53 in the second innings, dismantling the West Indies’ chase before it began.
- Allan Donald: 5/43 in the first innings, blowing away the top order.
- Jacques Kallis: Contributed with both bat (67) and ball (2 wickets), showcasing his all-round genius early in his career.
- Jonty Rhodes: His electric fielding created constant pressure and led to key dismissals.
Even wicketkeeper Dave Richardson and lower-order batters like Pat Symcox played vital supporting roles—proof that depth wins Test matches.
Has This Ever Happened Before or Since?
No. In the entire history of Test cricket—dating back to 1877—this remains the only instance where an entire team Player of the Match was officially awarded . There have been collective performances, sure, but never an official recognition of the full XI.
In limited-overs cricket, there have been rare cases of joint awards (e.g., two players sharing the honor), but never all eleven. This makes the 1999 Georgetown Test a true unicorn in cricket’s statistical annals.
What This Means for Cricket History and Fan Culture
This moment transcends statistics. It’s a powerful reminder that cricket, at its best, is a team sport. In an era increasingly obsessed with individual records and fantasy points, the 1999 Proteas stand as a symbol of selfless, unified excellence.
For fans, it’s also a nostalgic touchstone—a time when humility and collective pride outweighed personal glory. [INTERNAL_LINK:great-test-series] And for historians, it’s a benchmark for what total team dominance looks like on the highest stage.
Conclusion: A Tribute to Collective Excellence
The entire team Player of the Match award in the 1999 South Africa vs West Indies Test wasn’t just a quirky footnote—it was a well-deserved tribute to a side that executed a perfect game plan with precision, discipline, and unity. In a sport that often celebrates the solitary genius, this rare gesture honored the beauty of the collective. And that’s why, over two decades later, it still resonates with fans, players, and purists alike.
Sources
- Times of India: “Kallis, Klusener, Jonty Rhodes and everyone else: Test match where entire South African team was awarded Player of the Match”
- ESPNcricinfo – South Africa tour of West Indies 1998–99: Match Scorecard & Series Archive
- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame & Records: Official ICC Website