Black Caps versus Sri Lanka T20 cricket at the Bay oval - Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill steal a single. Photo/Andrew Warner
Black Caps versus Sri Lanka T20 cricket at the Bay oval - Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill steal a single. Photo/Andrew Warner
Kane Williamson's batting prowess was recognised at the New Zealand Cricket awards function last night with the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for player of the year.
He was also named test player of the year, and won the Redpath Cup for first-class batting.
The awards complete an outstanding period ofrecognition for the top order batsman and captain-in-waiting after he was crowned sportsman of the year at the Halberg awards last Thursday.
His latest haul came on the back of an outstanding year for the 25-year-old, who will captain the Black Caps at the World Twenty20 in India next month after Brendon McCullum's retirement.
Williamson scored four test centuries in the judging period, which began after the World Cup final and finished after this week's 2-0 home test series loss to Australia.
In 2015, Williamson set a New Zealand record for the number of test runs (1172) and centuries (five) in a calendar year, and briefly become the world's No1-ranked test batsman before Christmas.
Williamson is a man of acute modesty but his performances spoke for him during the judging period.
Kane Williamson and Sarah Raheem at the 2016 NZ Cricket Awards
He scored 1003 test runs at 62.68 in nine matches; 980 ODI runs at 54.44 in 19 matches and 404 T20 runs at 57.71 and a strike rate of 138 in nine matches.
With 13 centuries before turning 26, he joined the select group of Sachin Tendulkar, Don Bradman, Alastair Cook and Garry Sobers to have scored as many or more by the same age.
The quality rather than quantity of runs made Williamson's contribution special. He played with technical perfection, inspiring the country's fans.
NZC's annual celebration of cricket - at Auckland's ANZ Viaduct Events Centre - saw McCullum formally farewelled and presented with his International Cricket Council spirit of cricket award.
Others to be recognised included Trent Boult, who was presented with the Winsor Cup for first-class bowling, Martin Guptill was ODI and T20 player of the year, White Ferns captain Suzie Bates was international women's player of the year and Sophie Devine was recognised for her world record fastest 18-ball T20 half-century against India. Amy Satterthwaite was domestic women's player of the year.
Auckland chairman and Cornwall club stalwart Rex Smith received the Bert Sutcliffe Medal for outstanding services to the sport.
The ceremony drew more than 400 invited guests.
Kane Williamson, Sarah Raheem, Ellissa McCullum and Brendon McCullum at the NZ cricket awards. Photo / Getty
