McCullum named New Zealand Player of the Yesr

Christchurch, Nov 5 (UNI) Wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum was today named as New Zealand's cricketer of the year and he was also awarded Walter Hadlee Trophy for his batting in the ODIs.

''In the domestic and international one-day and Twenty20 competitions he outperformed everyone else. Who will forget his 170 from 108 balls for the Otago Volts in the State Shield final or his 80 from 28 balls against Bangladesh in Queenstown?'' national selector Dion Nash, who was also on the awards panel said at New Zealand Cricket's annual awards night.

''While his batting was breathtaking at times, so were some of the wicketkeeping catches he took. During a long and demanding season he retained his extremely high standards throughout, including the test series against England in England,'' he said.

Jacob Oram was presented the JR Reid best all-rounder award, instituted for the first time.

Richard Hadlee, the former New Zealand all-rounder, was awarded the Sutcliffe medal for outstanding services to cricket.

Ross Taylor was awarded the Redpath Cup for his batting feats in first-class cricket, while Chris Martin was awarded the Winsor Cup for his bowling feats in first-class cricket.

Pace bowler Kyle Mills picked up the Walter Hadlee Trophy for bowling in one-day internationals.

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