Kane Williamson’s stellar year on the international cricket stage was recognised at the 2016 ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards function in Auckland when he was awarded the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal and named the New Zealand Cricketer of the Year.
Williamson, last week named the New Zealand Sportsman of the Year at the 2016 Halberg Awards, was also named the ANZ Test International Player of the Year, and won the prestigious Redpath Cup for first-class batting.
The latest swag of awards came on the back of an outstanding year for the 25-year-old who – following the retirement of Brendon McCullum, will next month captain the BLACKCAPS at the ICC World Twenty20 in India.
Williamson scored five Test centuries in the period judged; set a New Zealand record for the number of Test runs scored in a calendar year; and just before Christmas rose to become the ICC’s number one ranked Test batsman.
New Zealand Cricket's annual celebration of cricket – staged at the ANZ Viaducts Events Centre, saw Brendon McCullum formally farewelled by NZC and also presented with his ICC Spirit of Cricket Award.
Elissa and Brendon McCullum. Photosport
WHITE FERN Sophie Devine was also recognised for her word record fastest T20 century, scored against India last year.
Martin Guptill was named both the ANZ ODI and T20 Player of the Year, and Trent Boult won the Winsor Cup for first-class bowling.
WHITE FERNS captain Suzie Bates, who scored a century in the final Rose Bowl ODI at Mt Maunganui this week, capped off another prolific year of run-scoring by being named the International Women’s Player of the Year.
Bates’ WHITE FERNS’ teammate and captain of the Canterbury Magicians, Amy Satterthwaite, was judged the Domestic Women’s Player of the Year.
The New Zealand WHITE FERNS will complete the home international summer with three imminent T20s v Australia
The awards ceremony, which drew more than 400 invited guests including the Minister of Sport and Recreation, the Hon. Dr Jonathan Coleman, concluded with the naming of Auckland chairman and Cornwall Cricket Club stalwart, Rex Smith, as the winner of the Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding Services to Cricket.
The annual men's domestic awards will be presented at the conclusion of the home season.
2015/16 season award winners
Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for Player of the Year: Kane Williamson
ANZ Test International Player of the Year: Kane Williamson
ANZ ODI International Player of the Year: Martin Guptill
ANZ T20 International Player of the Year: Martin Guptill
Winsor Cup (Bowling): Trent Boult
Redpath Cup (Batting): Kane Williamson
International Women’s Player of the Year: Suzie Bates
Domestic Women’s Player of the Year: Amy Satterthwaite
Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding Services to Cricket: Rex Smith
Test caps were formally presented to Matt Henry, Luke Ronchi, Mitch Santner, Henry Nicholls and BJ Watling
NZC’s annual Development and Services award winners
Best Female Initiative: Cricket Wellington
Club of the Year: Cornwall Cricket Club
New Zealand Post Community Cricket Development Officer of the Year: Sam Ward
Volunteer of the Year: Bryan Haggitt
New Zealand Post Outstanding Contribution to Cricket: Mark Benefield
Secondary School Boys’ First XI Cup Young Cricketer of the Year: Rachin Ravindra
Sir Jack Newman Award: Peter Burke
Under-19s Cricket World Cup star Rachin Ravindra receives his award from Sir Richard Hadlee
BERT SUTCLIFFE MEDAL FOR SERVICES TO CRICKET: REX SMITH
Rex Smith has made a substantial contribution to Auckland Cricket both as a player, coach, and as an administrator.
Rex has been an Auckland Cricket Board member since 1999 and the chairman since 2007, having previously served in this role from 2001/2005.
He played 17 years of first grade cricket and has held various administration positions within the Cornwall Club, including Club Chairman from 1991 to 1998, and premier team coach for 26 years.
Under his watch, the Cornwall club has become the largest in New Zealand, with a membership of more than 1400.
Rex was a member of the Auckland Cricket Association first-class team selection panel from 1991 to 1998 and Convenor of the Auckland Cricket Association Coaching Review Panel in 1997.
He has also been a representative on the Eden Park Trust Board (formerly Eden Park Board of Control) for 14 years.
In the recent New Year's Honours List, Rex was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cricket.
