Cricket: Bates, Ryder take major honours

Suzie Bates.
Suzie Bates.
Suzie Bates and Jesse Ryder claimed the major honours at the Otago Cricket Association awards last night.

Perennial winner Bates had another fantastic summer for the Otago Sparks.

The White Ferns captain led the Sparks to glory in the one-day tournament with a hat trick and a fine innings of 99 in the final.

It was Otago's first title in more 50 years and Bates was an obvious choice for women's player of the year.

She also gained the batting title as well with 679 runs at an average of 75.44 in the one-day competition.

The bowling title went to legspinner Emma Campbell with 15 one-day wickets at an average of 24.33 and economy rate of 3.96.

But Bates claimed nine wickets, including that hat trick, in the final.

The fielding gong went to experienced wicketkeeper-batsman Katey Martin and Caitlin Blakely was named rising star.

Blakely showed a lot of composure to compile an undefeated 23 in the one-day final.

While the women outshone the men this summer, the Volts had some sterling moments as well.

Jesse Ryder.
Jesse Ryder.
Ryder made quite a splash with his move south from Wellington.

The talented left-hander was named player of the year and batsman of the year for his efforts.

He scored six centuries for Otago this summer.

His four first-class hundreds equalled the Otago record - a feat which Michael Bracewell also managed this season - and he was the leading scorer in the one-day tournament with 436 runs at an average of 72.66.

Neil Wagner was named bowler of the year.

He took 22 wickets at an average of 23.59 in the Plunket Shield and was Otago's leading wicket-taker in the one-dayers.

Bracewell's outstanding season did not go unrewarded.

He was named fielder of the year and spinner Mark Craig was named rising star.

Overseas professional Ryan ten Doeschate scored the fastest 50 - a 21-ball effort in Champions League game.

Warren Lees claimed the coach of the year award for his role in the Sparks' success.

The contribution to cricket award was presented to long-serving scorer and umpire Dave Cummings who has served the sport over a 40 year period.

Cummings holds the unusual distinction of both umpiring and scoring at first-class levels.

He officiated in 19 first-class games and six list A games from the mid 1970s to the late 1980s.

He began scoring Hawke Cup cricket in the late 1990s and has continued in that role.

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