Vettori named New Zealand Player of the Year

Christchurch, Mar 31 (UNI) Left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was named Player of the Year for the second consecutive time, while Nathan Astle and Shane Bond received the batting and bowling honours at the New Zealand Cricket Awards.

''Daniel is a deserving winner having consistently delivered outstanding performances in both forms of the game throughout the 12-month period under review,'' New Zealand Cricket (NZC) CEO Martin Snedden said in a statement here.

Vettori was the only Kiwi player to be selected for the World XI team, which played against Australia last year.

''Daniel has been a dominant force in all facets of the game,'' the NZC chief said.

Vettori performed consistently last year and scored New Zealand's fastest-ever Test century against Zimbabwe, and had a Test batting average was 51.2.

The left-arm spinner is the youngest player ever to have represented New Zealand.

Nathan Astle who averaged 45 including two centuries and four fifties last year was given the batting award.

While Shane Bond was awarded for his bowling. He took 36 wickets at an average of 18.11 after a making a comeback from an injury last year.

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