South African fast bowler Deon Kruis received Yorkshire's player of the year trophy at the end of season dinner and presentation night at Headingley.

Kruis, signed as a Kolpak player, bowled 584.3 overs in the Championship and claimed 64 wickets, the most by any paceman in the country.

It was largely through his efforts that Yorkshire gained promotion and Kruis has been given a new two-year contract.

The players' player of the year award went to Anthony McGrath, Yorkshire's top scorer in the Championship with 1,425 runs at an average of 59.37, while 20-year-old Tim Bresnan was named young player of the year for his 47 wickets and 339 runs.

Off-spinner-batsman Richard Dawson won the award for best fielder.

Yorkshire captain Craig White said his side had enjoyed a pretty good year and Championship promotion had been achieved through a fantastic team effort, but he admitted that they hadn't performed well in one-day cricket.

In answer to a question from guest speaker Angus Fraser, the former Middlesex and England fast bowler, White said: "I would like to think I will be playing again next year. I have my appraisal with David Byas in the next few days and I will tell you after that."

* Jacques Kallis is under no illusions as to the size of the task facing the ICC World XI when they take on Australia in the Johnnie Walker Super Series.

Kallis, the world's number one batsman and all-rounder in the ICC Test rankings, believes Australia's recent 2-1 Ashes series defeat against England will provide all the motivation the hosts need.

The 29-year-old all-rounder, set to be joined in the world teams by England's Stephen Harmison (Test), Andrew Flintoff (Test and ODI) and Kevin Pietersen (ODI), is expecting a backlash from Ricky Ponting's team.

''Australia may have lost the Ashes series in England but I am certain they will be a totally different side at home,'' said the South African.

''They are a proud nation that I still feel are the number one side in the world. They know the conditions, will have the crowds on their side and it all adds up to a stiff test for us.''

Kallis, speaking from Dubai, where the majority of the ICC World XI one-day squad linked up ahead of their flight to Melbourne, is confident the international line-up can turn itself into a tight-knit unit in time for the first match at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on October 5.

''It will take a while for us to gel and get to know each other like a bunch of players who play together all the time, but I am sure it will happen,'' he said.

''We have all played against each other often enough in the past, and there is a good feeling around the squad already so I am sure it will not be much of a problem.''

The Super Series comprises three one-day internationals at Telstra Dome in Melbourne on October 5, 7 and 9, followed by a six-day Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground from October 14-19.

* Worcestershire have confirmed Australia opening batsman Justin Langer is among their leading targets to sign for the 2006 campaign.

Chief executive Mark Newton revealed talks had already been held with the left-hander, who was one of Australia's few batting success during the recent Ashes series with England.

But Newton also admitted Aussie paceman Glenn McGrath was unlikely to be returning to New Road, where he spent a successful season in 2000.

Worcestershire are also searching for an opening bowler and are trying to sign Australians after the success at the county in the past of Tom Moody, McGrath and Andy Bichel.

Langer, who previously had a successful spell at Middlesex, was his country's highest run-scorer in the five-Test series with England, with 394 at an average of 43.77.

Australia are playing virtually no international cricket during the 2006 English domestic season, which makes their players an attractive proposition.

Newton said: ''Although England have won the Ashes and Australia are not as strong as they were, Australian cricketers do have qualities that we value highly. We've spoken with Justin Langer and, although there's no decision yet, we hope to sort something out in the very near future.