Wisden overview
An exceptional domestic season in 2002 catapulted Martin van Jaarsveld into the South African side, after he had spent several seasons flitting on the fringes of national recognition. A reassuring presence in Northern Transvaal's middle order, van Jaarsveld scored 1268 first-class runs in 2002 at 74.58, including five centuries, and was the only player to top 1000 runs for the season. Signed by Enfield in the Lancashire League, he then set about developing into a handy medium-paced allrounder, and finished as the league's top wicket-taker. He made his one-day debut for South Africa against Bangladesh at Benoni in October 2002, the following day was named one of South Africa's Five Cricketers of the Year, and made his Test debut against the Banglas at East London a week later. Andrew Miller

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