Central Stags wicketkeeper-batsman Dane Cleaver and Central Hinds T20 co-captain Jess Watkin were the big winners as the 2019/20 season’s Central Districts Cricket Awards were announced this evening.

After a standout summer with both bat and wicketkeeping gloves, 28-year-old Cleaver took home the premier award for Central Stags’ Player of the Year for the first time; as well as the Stags’ Players’ Player of the Year — an award voted by his peers.

Twenty-one-year-old Watkin capped her first summer as a co-captain by collecting the Central Hinds’ top individual trophy for the second time in her distinguished young career. 

Watkin previously took out the overall women’s award in 2017, and was also named the Hinds’ Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year of 2019/20. 

Hannah Rowe and George Worker were named the top one-day players for their respective sides while Natalie Dodd was voted the Hinds’ Players’ Player of the Year after another strong all-round season with both the bat and wicketkeeping gloves.

Among other winners on the night was the Noema-Barnett family with Central Stags veteran Kieran Noema-Barnett taking out the individual honours from the men’s Dream11 Super Smash T20 campaign whilst younger brother Arana Noema-Barnett was named the Chapple Cup player of the season.

Central Districts A captain Ma’ara Ave was named the A side’s player of the year, while Palmerston North 16-year-old Ashtuti Kumar added the Central Hinds Emerging Player of the Year award to her mantelpiece, after having made nerveless debuts in both formats for the Hinds as well as a strong all-round contribution to the CD Under 19 women’s team that lifted the inaugural national title this summer. CD Under-19 teammate Saffron Wilson, of Nelson, was named the team’s player of the year with Taranaki’s Jordie Gard and CD U17 captain Curtis Heaphy (Manawatū) picking up the men’s U19 and U17 honours.

Hawke’s Bay umpire Glen Walklin picked up CD’s Umpire of the Year for the second year running while Sir Richard Hadlee medallist Ross Taylor’s stellar career achievements for the BLACKCAPS and the retirement of longtime Central Hind Kate Baxter were marked by the presentations of special awards.

Nine-year-old Nixon Herd also received a special award for Supporter of the Year after he auctioned his treasured autographed Cricket World Cup cricket bats to raise funds to help a gravely ill, six-year-old school friend travel to the USA to receive cancer therapy for a rare form of the disease.

Said CDCA CEO Pete de Wet, “Nixon is a passionate young cricket fan and aspiring cricketer whose selfless generosity assisted a young girl who sadly did not have long to live. He put himself out there and did all he could to help the team behind Nora Guise, inspiring us all with his commitment and empathy.

“Raised in Blenheim before his family moved to Canterbury last year, Nixon remains a dedicated and wonderful young CD supporter whom our players always enjoy catching up with at Hagley Oval and Lincoln.”

Breaking with tradition due to Covid-19, Central Districts Cricket Association celebrated this season’s winners with an online awards presentation.

2019/20 CENTRAL DISTRICTS CRICKET AWARDS

Distinguished Achievement Award Ross Taylor (100 Tests, 100 T20is, 100 NZ caps in all formats, NZ Test runs record)

Special Award Kate Baxter (Taranaki)

CD A Player of the Year Ma’ara Ave (Marlborough)

Hawke Cup Player of the Year Akash Gill (Whanganui)

Chapple Cup Player of the Tournament Arana Noema-Barnett (Manawatū)

CD U19 Player of the Year (Men) Jordan Gard (Taranaki)

CD U19 Player of the Year (Women) Saffron Wilson (Nelson)

CD U17 Player of the Year Curtis Heaphy (Manawatū)

CD Umpire of the Year Glen Walklin (Hawke’s Bay)

Scorer Recognition Award Duncan Mitchell (Manawatū) and Bev Baker (Hawke’s Bay)

CD Supporter of the Year Nixon Herd

Central Stags

Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year Kieran Noema-Barnett (Hawke’s Bay)

The Ford Trophy Player of the Year George Worker (Manawatū)

Plunket Shield Player of the Year Willem Ludick (Nelson)

Players’ Player of the Year Dane Cleaver (Manawatū)

Player of the Year Dane Cleaver (Manawatū)

Central Hinds

Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year Jess Watkin (Whanganui)

Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Player of the Year Hannah Rowe (Manawatū)

Emerging Player of Year Ashtuti Kumar (Manawatū)

Players’ Player of the Year Natalie Dodd (Taranaki)

Player of the Year Jess Watkin (Whanganui)
 

COACHES’ COMMENTS

Jamie Watkins, Central Hinds

“Jess Watkin — Central Hinds Player of the Year had an outstanding season and was the Hinds’ leading run-scorer across both formats with 660 runs. This was backed up with 13 wickets at very good economy rates, especially considering she was often also bowling at the key times with fielding restrictions in place. The highlights were undoubtedly her magnificent 158 v Wellington Blaze in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield, and some destructive half-centuries in an improved Dream11 Super Smash season against Northern Spirit (95) and Auckland Hearts (58). Jess also moved into a captaincy role for the first time at this level, co-captaining the Super Smash campaign with Hannah Rowe. This leadership contributed greatly to the more competitive season — Jess’s positive mindset and lead-from-the-front approach inspiring the squad. Jess was closely followed by Natalie Dodd who was just two runs shy of Jess’s season runs tally. Natalie scored 658 runs across the two formats, while Hannah was the Hinds’ leading wicket-taker in both formats this season.

“As our Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year, Jess was the leading run-scorer for the Hinds in the competition with 275 runs at a stunning strike rate of 152 in the Hinds’ greatly improved T20 campaign this season. Jess also picked up seven wickets and co-captained the team, leading from the front with a positive and collaborative approach that pushed the team to the brink of the playoffs. While Jess’ all-round impact earned her the award, there was also very valuable contributions from Rosemary Mair who took seven wickets in seven matches at an economy rate of just 6.17; Hannah Rowe with eight wickets; and Natalie Dodd scoring 273 runs at a 30.33 average.

“Hannah Rowe is our Hallyburton Johnstone Shield Player of the Year and was our vice-captain in that campaign. Hannah’s all-round contribution saw her lead the way with 11 wickets at 28.63 as well as 232 runs at an average of 32.57, earning her the one-day award ahead of some close competition from Natalie Dodd and Jess Watkin — who both scored 385 runs averaging in the 40s; and the much improved Melissa Hansen who was our second highest wicket-taker with nine at an average of 20.88.

“Natalie Dodd was a clear winner in the Player’s Player of the Year voting to take home the Shrimpton Bat. While also in the running for all three performance awards due to her consistent on-field contribution with the bat and gloves, Natalie’s leadership, along with her qualities as a teammate backing and supporting others both on and off the pitch, were just as important and consistent throughout the year. One of the most astute cricket brains in the country, although Natalie doesn’t wear the ‘captain’s armband’ with the Hinds, she is a huge contributor and support for the appointed captains of each format and assists them with their roles. She is looked up to by every member of the group and it’s no coincidence that, in most cases, when a teammate’s best batting performance is achieved, it has been with Natalie at the other end in the partnership.

“Ashtuti Kumar wins the award as the Emerging Player of the Year after bursting onto the scene to make her debut in a crucial televised Dream11 Super Smash victory against the Auckland Hearts at Pukekura Park. Later making her debut in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield against the Canterbury Magicians, at just 16 she was also a leading performer throughout the U19 National Tournament in December. A bright future awaits for our talented allrounder from Manawatū.”

Aldin Smith, Central Stags

“Dane Cleaver had an amazing season in which he was a consistent performer for the Stags in all formats — not only in what he offers with the bat, but with his contributions behind the stumps and as a senior member of the team. The chances he got to play for New Zealand A he took with both hands: his knock of 196 was a fantastic effort against India A in Christchurch, then he came back to us and scored another first-class career best, 201, in the Plunket Shield at Napier. He has grown as an individual and made massive strides in his approach to training which has paid dividends on the field in his performances.

“George Worker edged both Dane Cleaver and Seth Rance for The Ford Trophy Player of the Year category award. During a difficult campaign, George ended up amongst the top 10 leading run-scorers in the country in this competition (371 runs from eight matches at 46.37), despite having missed matches due to injury and representing New Zealand A. He finished the competition as our highest run-scorer, and there was also a wonderful one-day century for New Zealand A against India A who had an impressive team. George’s contributions with the ball when needed must also not be underestimated (8 wickets including 3-36), often producing a wicket when called upon. Seth meanwhile did an amazing job carrying the bowling attack for the majority of our season, due to a number of injuries in the Stags’ camp. This was especially so during The Ford Trophy campaign in which we fielded a very inexperienced and young attack. Seth led the way as our highest wicket-taker in the competition, and fourth equal in the country (16 wickets at 28.93).”

“It was a close call between Ajaz Patel and Kieran Noema-Barnett for Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year, Kieran’s all-round contribution nudging him to the top. Kieran was outstanding for the Stags, an experienced player who was of so much value off and on the field. His presence was a calming influence in the middle order and he produced some fantastic knocks for the team throughout the entire white-ball campaign (209 runs from 10 innings, including two T20 half centuries). His bowling (12 wickets at an average of just 15.00) was consistent and reliable, finishing just three wickets behind our leading wicket-taker, Ajaz. Along with his presence and guidance as a senior player, Kieran deserves this award for his all-round contributions. Ajaz also enjoyed a fantastic season with the ball in this format. It was a breakthrough season for him in T20 cricket in that he started producing consistent performances, and grew in understanding and confidence with his game. He ended up as the third highest wicket-taker nationally (15 wickets at 17.20) — having played two fewer games than the two bowlers ahead of him.”

“Willem Ludick wins our award for Plunket Shield player of the season for the first time in his career, at just 23. He was our leading wicket-taker in the 2019/20 first-class campaign with 21 wicket at 19.57. Over the season he was asked to do most of the hard work in terms of bowling into the wind, bowling long spells and doing the heavy workload. He did this so well that he finished as the third highest wicket-taker nationally this season, just one wicket behind (ND’s) Neil Wagner and (Otago Volt) Jacob Duffy who both finished with 22 wickets. Willem had been the country’s top wicket-taker heading into what turned out to be our last match in Dunedin [with the subsequent two rounds cancelled] and, although he didn’t get a lot of bowling opportunity in that match, he made a very important batting contribution in the lower order. He was the only player to play in all matches across all formats for the Stags this season.

“Also in strong contention for the first-class award yet again was our Plunket Shield captain Greg Hay. Greg (454 runs at 41.27) again was among the top three run-scorers nationally — something he has done for the past three seasons. His captaincy on the field and leadership off the field was really special, especially with the difficulty we had in the first half of Plunket Shield with injuries to our bowlers, and, having to work with very inexperienced players. Yet still the team finished the pre-Christmas rounds of the Plunket Shield second on the table, and ultimately held this position to finish runners-up this season. Greg’s contribution as captain of the team can’t be underestimated.”

Key Statistics

Jess Watkin

• 385 runs from nine Hallyburton Johnstone Shield games was her highest season aggregrate, at a 42.77 average, including one century and two half centuries.
• Jess scored a one-day career-best 158 that was also her maiden Domestic one-day century; and took six wickets with best bowling of 3-28. 
• 275 runs from 10 Dream11 Super Smash innings was also her highest season aggregate in the T20 format, at a 27.50 average. This included two half centuries with a season best of 95. Jess took seven wickets for the T20 season with a best of 2-16.

Dane Cleaver

• Scored two first-class centuries (196 for New Zealand A and 201 for the Central Stags, both new career bests) and one List A century (108 in The Ford Trophy v ND at Lincoln, the second century of his List A career) during the 2019/20 season. 
• 308 runs from six Ford Trophy innings at 51.33, including his century and one half century (83 v ND at Lincoln), and eight dismissals.
• 423 Plunket Shield runs from 12 innings at 38.45, including his first double century and a half century (72 against the Aces in Auckland).
• His 28 Plunket Shield dismissals from six games was six ahead of the next best wicketkeeper nationwide. These included a career-best nine dismissals in a single match, including five catches in an innings, in a superb all-round game and victory against ND at McLean Park. 
• 249 first-class runs from just two innings and two games (including one century and one half century) at an average of 124.50 and 7 first-class dismissals for New Zealand A v India A.
• Dane scored 672 first-class runs from eight matches at 51.69 for all teams in 2019/20, his highest first-class season aggregate.
• Dane scored 385 runs from eight matches at 55 for all teams in 2019/20, his highest List A season aggregate.
• Dane scored 278 runs from 10 T20 matches at 27.80 in 2019/20, his highest T20 season aggregate.
• Dane played his 50th first-class, List A and T20 matches during the 2019/20 season.

Article added: Tuesday 05 May 2020