Cricket: Guptill takes top honour at cricket awards

APNZ

18 Oct, 2012 08:00 PM3 mins to read

New Zealand's Martin Guptill raises his bat during a T 20 match against south Africa earlier this year. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Opening batsman Martin Guptill has capped a stellar year with the bat to be named the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal winner at the 2011-12 New Zealand Cricket Awards last night.

The most prestigious award of the evening is voted for by an independent panel and is given to the player whose performances have been the most outstanding.

The 26-year-old has been in a rich vein of form across all formats during the season.

The tall right-hander was second only to Ross Taylor in test runs scored, while topping the one-day and Twenty20 tables for the Black Caps.

Guptill struck 490 test runs, 579 ODI runs and 378 T20 runs with a combined total of two centuries and 13 half centuries.

He also picked up the Redpath Cup for first-class batting - after a domestic season in which he hit 927 runs at an average of 42 - as well as the T20 and ODI player of the year awards.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive David White congratulated Guptill and said he richly deserved the honour after a memorable year with the bat.

"The individual honour caps off a great year for Martin Guptill,'' White said.

"He has been a star performer in all formats and the awards are a reflection of his commitment to the team and consistency as a player.''

The other big winner was Doug Bracewell who was named the test player of the year, awarded the Winsor Cup for first class bowling and took out the fans' choice award for his heroics in New Zealand's test victory over Australia in Hobart.

Gareth Hopkins was honoured as the men's domestic player of the year, while Frances McKay took out the women's award and Amy Satterthwaite was named the best of the White Ferns.

2011/12 New Zealand Cricket Awards winners