Stalwart, young batter honoured

Albion stalwart Gerard Finnie and promising Otago batter Jacob Cumming were among the prize winners on the opening day of the New Zealand Cricket awards.

The ceremony has been shifted online due to Covid-19.

Black Caps left-armer Trent Boult and White Ferns captain Sophie Devine were the big winners.

Boult was named T20 international player of the year following some red-hot form during the Black Caps’ run to the T20 World Cup final in the United Arab Emirates in November, while Devine claimed the women’s equivalent.

In the community cricket section, Finnie won the Sir Jack Newman award for his tireless work in the Otago region as a junior coach, administrator and manager.

He has also served as chairman of the Dunedin Junior Cricket Association for more than 10 years and has been a constant advocate for young cricketers.

Finnie, whose son Josh is an Otago contracted cricketer, continues to give back to the junior game in Dunedin, taking on the role of junior club and secondary schools representative on the Otago cricket board sub-committee which governs the game for Dunedin schools and clubs.

Cumming was named young men’s player of the year. The 18-year-old left-hander is the son of former New Zealand opener Craig Cumming.

Following a strong couple of years for Otago A, he got an opportunity for the Volts at first-class level this season and has made a useful start to his career.

White Ferns and Auckland spinner Fran Jonas claimed the young women’s player of the year award.

Former Otago player and Wellington all-rounder Michael Bracewell was named Super Smash men’s player of the year, while White Ferns all-rounder Melie Kerr scooped the women’s award following an impressive season in which she took 17 wickets and scored 346 runs.

New Zealand great Ross Taylor’s final wicket in his last test in Christchurch was voted as the fan moment of the summer.

Today, first-class and domestic batting and bowling cups are handed out along with the men’s and women’s ODI players of the year, and the umpire of the year award.

 - Wellington fast bowler Hamish Bennett has announced his retirement.

Bennett made 265 domestic appearances for Canterbury and Wellington since making his debut in 2005, amassing 489 wickets.

He helped win 12 domestic titles including a women’s Super Smash title as Wellington Blaze bowling coach.

He captained the Firebirds to Ford Trophy victory in 2018 and was a key member of the Wellington side that lifted the Plunket Shield and back-to-back Super Smash titles between 2019 and 2021.

Bennett made 31 appearances for New Zealand across all three formats, claiming 43 wickets.

He will keep playing club cricket in Martinborough and will pursue his career in coaching.

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