On Thursday, Kane Williamson and Suzie Bates were named as the men and women ODI players of the year respectively at the annual New Zealand Cricket awards. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the announcement for the awards was made online. Williamson has had a memorable 2019 during which he led the Kiwis to the ICC Cricket World Cup final apart from being named as the player of the tournament too.
Talking about him, New Zealand coach, Gary stead said, “Kane was simply exceptional at the ICC Cricket World Cup last year. Kane fully deserved his selection. He builds great partnerships with our well-established middle order and when he bats deep in ODI innings, we’ll invariably be in a good position to win most of those matches.”
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On his captaincy, Stead said Williamson’s calmness rubbed off on his teammates as well. Describing the same, Stead said Kane has his own style which makes others respect him. However, Bates struck two half-centuries in three matches against South Africa – White Ferns’ only games in the format last year. She scored 142 runs at an average of 42.
Talking about her, White Ferns head coach, Bob Carter said, “Suzie has been a world-class performer for many years. She paces ODI innings really well and has the ability to read fields and pre-empt what opposition captains are trying to do and how they are looking to contain or restrict her game.”
Ross Taylor (men) and Sophie Devine (women) won the awards for the T20 players of the year. Devine had a stellar year, scoring during which she hit her maiden T20 century. She also became the first international cricketer (male or female) to hit five and then six successive T20I fifties.
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Describing the same, Carter said, “Sophie had an exceptional season with the bat in T20 cricket. Our T20 side is at its best when Sophie is scoring runs at the top. She gives others around her the freedom to play their natural game.”
