Kane Williamson named ODI player of the Year in New Zealand Cricket's virtual awards

Skipper Kane Willamson was on Thursday named men's ODI Player of Year at annual New Zealand Cricket awards for his stellar performance throughout year. Ross Taylor and White Ferns skipper Sophie Devine took home men's and women's T20 Player of Year award respectively, while Suzie Bates was rewarded for her consistency with bat as she claimed women's ODI player of year. awards were presented online for first time due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Williamson named ODI player of Year

Williamson h a hugely successful year, both individually and with New Zealand team, which he led to World Cup final.

At World Cup, 29-year-old amassed 578 runs at an aver of 82, including two centuries, which culminated in him being named player of tournament.

"Kane was simply exceptional at ICC Cricket World Cup last year," New Zealand he coach, Gary Ste said.

"Kane fully deserved his selection. He builds great partnerships with our well-established middle order and when he bats deep in an ODI innings, we'll invariably be in a good position to win most of those matches.

"He les team well, he has his own style and certainly respect of his peers. His calm, purposeful demeaur flows through his leership and, in turn, team," he ded.

Veteran Blackcaps batsman Taylor scored 330 runs at a strike-rate of 130 to take home hour in shortest format of game. "A man of Ross' international experience is very valuable in fast and furious nature of T20 cricket," Ste said. "He has ability to sum up batting conditions quickly and accurately in a variety of venues and countries. This is a skill which serves team well and helps us apt plans quickly in shortest form of game."

In women's cricket, Bates was named ODI player of year after making two half-centuries in three matches against South Africa - team's only games in format in past year. Despite only having one ODI series against South Africa at home this summer, Bates showed her class scoring 142 runs at an aver of 42.

"Suzie has been a world class performer for many years," White Ferns he coach, Bob Carter said.

"She paces an ODI innings really well and has ability to re fields and pre-empt what opposition captains are trying to do and how y are looking to contain or restrict her game."

In women's T20, Devine enjoyed an unprecedented year, scoring her maiden T20 century while also becoming first player, male or female, to reach 50 in five, and n six, consecutive T20 Internationals. "Sophie h an exceptional season with bat in T20 cricket," Carter said. Devine scored 429 runs at an aver of 71 and at a strike-rate of 132  employing a power game that rivals best female players in world.

"Our T20 side is at its best when Sophie is scoring runs at top. She gives ors around her freedom to play ir natural game.

"Sophie's ability with ball in T20 cricket goes under rar at times. She will often step up and bowl hard overs and uses changes of pace to her vant. She is a top quality all-rounder and an exceptional T20 talent," Carter said. 

Im credits: AP