McCullum wins Sir Richard Hadlee Medal

AUCKLAND: Inspirational New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum has been named as the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal winner at the New Zealand Cricket Awards in Auckland.
The 33-year-old, who led New Zealand to their first ICC World Cup final last week in Melbourne, was recognised for his outstanding 2014-15 season, in which he captained the national team to unprecedented success in all formats.
McCullum, famous for becoming the first New Zealander to score a triple century, backed up his international form in spectacular fashion.
He hit a remarkable double ton against Pakistan in Sharjah Test in November, in the process recording the fastest century scored by a New Zealander.
He created further history when he became the first New Zealander to score 1000 Test runs in a calendar year at Hagley Oval in Christchurch.
Under McCullum’s leadership, New Zealand recorded their most successful Test season, claiming five Test wins.
McCullum won the supreme award ahead of Kane Williamson, who claimed the Redpath Cup for First Class batting, and Trent Boult who was the winner of the Winsor Cup for First Class bowling.
It is the first time the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal has not been a recipient of the other two major awards.
Special tributes were also paid to three Blackcaps – Daniel Vettori, Kyle Mills and Jamie How – who recently announced their retirements from international cricket.
White Ferns captain Suzie Bates was named as the International Women’s Player of the Year after her stellar season on the international stage.
The world-class all-rounder showed her ability with notable knocks coming throughout the season including a 94 not out to see the White Ferns home against Pakistan last March and a fine century to square the series against England.
Canterbury’s Andrew Ellis and Amy Satterthwaite claimed the respective Domestic Cricketer of the Year Awards.