Cricket: Double century helps earn Hart top award

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Matthew Hart was last night named Northern Districts' cricketer of the year.

The former left-arm test spinner took only one State Championship wicket at a cost of 123 runs, but a solid season with the bat earned him the honour.

Hart scored 546 runs at an average of 54.60. He hit a career-high 201 not out against Auckland at Eden Park in the last match of the season.

He earlier scored 111 against Central Districts in Hamilton.

In the first one-day match of the season, against Auckland at Eden Park, Hart and Joseph Yovich scored 117 for the sixth wicket, a Northern Districts record against all teams.

Hart also scored 301 at an average of 30.10 in the State Shield, where he also picked up five wickets.

At last night's awards ceremony in Hamilton, Yovich was named the association's bowler of the year and international allrounder Scott Styris was named batsman of the year.

James Marshall was fieldsman of the year.

The young cricketer is Mathew Drake and the women's cricketer of the year is Nicola Browne.

Mike Nitz was honoured for his services to Northern Districts junior cricket and Ian Shine was acknowledged as the province's umpire of the year.