Guptill named Auckland Cricketer of the Year

MEDIA RELEASE

Thursday, 5 April 2012

Martin Guptill has been named the Auckland Cricketer of the Year after a season of commanding form at both domestic and international level.

Guptill dominated the awards evening last night, also picking up the Batsman of the Year and International Cricketer of the Year Awards on the back of a dominant performance in the HRV Cup and some scintillating form at international level.

Bruce Martin was rewarded for his hugely successful season at the bowling crease for the Aces by being named as Bowler of the Year, while overseas import Stafanie Taylor picked up the Women's Batsman of the Year award and veteran off-spinner Paula Gruber was named Women's Bowler of the Year. Maddy Green capped a successful season with the Hearts and White Ferns by being named Young Player of the Year.

Below is a full list of winners on the night and an outline of their performances.

Auckland Cricketer of the Year - MARTIN GUPTILL
It is not often that one man so comprehensively dominates a competition but Martin Guptill was untouchable in this year's HRV Cup. His stats tell some of the story but anyone who saw him blast a 50 ball hundred in Rangiora were witness to something special: a man at the top of his game and producing a master class in power hitting. The fact that he was able to reproduce that kind of form all season long for both Auckland and the Blackcaps illustrates just what a tremendous year Martin had.

Mens Bowler of the Year - BRUCE MARTIN
After playing a late season cameo role for the Aces last season Bruce Martin has been at the forefront of almost everything the Aces have done this season, especially in the Plunket Shield. He was far and away the Aces leading wicket taker and was the Aces go-to man for wickets in the four day competition, picking up 37, including two five wicket bags.

Mens Batsman of the Year - MARTIN GUPTILL
Ask anybody what they remember about the HRV Cup and plenty of them will say - Martin Guptill. Martin was in scintillating form in that competition, topping the 500 run mark, including an amazing hundred, and averaging a staggering 72. Add to that a brilliant unbeaten 195 in the Plunket Shield and his form for the Blackcaps, and you have a compelling argument to say that he had his best year with the bat so far.

Accor Hospitality Auckland International Cricketer of the Year - MARTIN GUPTILL
At one point of the season Martin Guptill had six consecutive international 50's and fell only three runs short of making it seven against South Africa. That consistency, and the style in which he scored his runs, meant he was a delight to watch for Blackcaps fans, and allowed him to have his most successful season at international level.

Representative Coach of the Year - PAUL STRANG
It was another highly successful season in charge for Paul Strang as the Aces had one of their best all-round seasons in recent times. He guided the Aces to a dominant and victorious performance in the HRV Cup as well as helping secure second and third in the Ford Trophy and Plunket Shield competitions.

Womens Bowler of the Year - PAULA GRUBER
Paula Gruber has been an outstanding contributor for the Hearts at the bowling crease for many years and she proved once again this season how important she is to the team's success. She took 14 wickets in total including a huge 11 in the Twenty20 competition at an average of just 15.

Womens Batsman of the Year - STAFANIE TAYLOR
The Hearts overseas import did everything required of her as she dominated in both competitions and saved her best for last in the one day final. Stafanie Taylor racked up 450 runs for the season at an average of over 50 and hit a superb 110 to lead the Hearts to victory in the Action Cricket Cup final.

Young Cricketer of the Year - MADDY GREEN
In recent seasons Maddy Green has been dominant in age group teams, but this was the season where she showed that ability at the highest levels. Her performances in the Action Cricket Twenty20 competition were a catalyst for the Hearts appearance in the final, and whilst her appearances for the White Ferns were cut short by injury she still found time to also take one of the catches of the season against Australia.

Club Awards
Women's Premier Club Cricketer of the Year - HOLLY HUDDLESTON (South East)
Holly Huddleston was one of South East's stars this season as she led them to two final's, including a match winning 5/7 to help claim the Pearl Dawson Trophy. That was the pinnacle of a highly successful season where she picked up 22 wickets at an average of just 10 and scored over 300 runs to boot.
Men's Premier Club Cricketer of the Year - BRADLEY SCHMULIAN (East Coast Bays)
Brad Schmulian put together the consummate all-rounder's performance to carry off the Club Cricketer of the Year title from team-mate Donovan Deeble by just 10 points. He picked up 41 wickets with his off-spin at a cost of 13-a-piece, and also played some crucial innings for his East Coast Bays side as he scored over 600 runs at an average of 40.

Umpire of the Year - WAYNE KNIGHTS
Wayne Knights reaped the reward of a number of years umpiring at domestic level by being picked for the first time this season on the NZC Elite Panel. He had a highly successful season at first class level and was selected as the New Zealand representative for the umpire exchange scheme with South Africa.

Special Award - Sir Jack Newman Award: Nick Craig

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