Apurv Shukla
As the New Zealand and England cricket teams played out a thrilling draw in the final home test of the summer at Christchurch, it gave the Black Caps their first series win over England in 19 years.
It was also the first series win for New Zealand over England at home after 34 years.
Man of the Series
Trent Boult was declared the man of the match and series for his 20 wickets over the two tests. Boult’s outstanding summer of cricket also won him the biggest prize at New Zealand Cricket Awards- Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for the Player of the Year alongside the Test International Player of the Year.
The Northern Districts left arm bowler took 77 wickets across all formats in this season. Boult now heads off to the Indian Premier League (IPL) to play for Delhi Daredevils. He was picked up by the Gautam Gambhir captained franchisee for $470,000.
Ross Taylor notched up his 19th ODI century in this home summer, and in the process also won the Men’s ODI Player of the Year at these awards.
Taylor’s form is intrinsic to New Zealand’s chances at next year’s Cricket World Cup in England.
Other Achievers
Auckland’s Colin Munro won the best T20 international player, after a season where he averaged more than 50 in the shortest version of the game.
The left hander has given up red ball cricket, and now heads to India for the IPL. He will represent Delhi who bought him, at what some say a bargain price of $406,000.
Wellington’s Sophie Devine won the Women’s ODI Player of the Year at the Awards.
She is a gifted athlete who has also represented New Zealand in hockey.
The power of Devcich
Northern District’s all-rounder Anton Devcich won the best Domestic T-20 player.
Given the Black Caps patchy performance in T-20 cricket this summer, Devcich probably deserves an extended run in the squad. While T-20 leagues have been a success the world over, the concept has failed to pick up in New Zealand.
T-20 is the most popular and attractive proposition in the game today.
Domestic Cricket
New Zealand cricket has to do more to ensure it takes off at the domestic level.
Mumbai born left arm spinner Ajaz Patel won the Domestic Player of the Year.
The Central Districts player has been the top Wicket-taker in domestic Cricket for the past three seasons. His all-round abilities were a key factor in Central Stags winning the Plunket Shield this year. Expect another player of Indian origin to represent the Black Caps next season.
It was a good summer for Black Caps who beat West Indies and Pakistan convincingly and were very competitive against England. The show piece event of the summer – the pink ball test was won by New Zealand but was badly affected by rain.
What it showed was that day night Test Cricket is here to stay.
Given the high operating costs at Eden Park; Hamilton or Mount Maunganui might host the next such match.
Cricket in New Zealand is in good health.
Players across all levels have been on the rise, especially Auckland showing 15-20% annual growth. Black Caps playing well generate more funds for grassroots Cricket and attract youngsters to take up Cricket.
Black Caps commence their international season in October with an Away Series against Pakistan.
Cricket fans can now look forward to eight weeks of excellent cricket with the biggest T-20 cricket league in the world- IPL.
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Photo Caption:
Trent Boult
(Picture by Photosport)
