Ross Taylor wins Sir Richard Hadley Medal for the third time
Christchurch,01 May(HS): Veteran Kiwi batsman Ross Taylor was honored with the prestigious Sir Richard Hadley Medal on the final day of the 2020 New Zealand Cricket Awards on Friday. T
Taylor won the award for the best player of the year for the third time. At the same time, fast bowler Tim Southee was voted Test Player of the Year.
Apart from these, Canterbury umpire Kim Cotton was awarded the GJ Gardner Holmes New Zealand Cricket Umpire of the Year award. For Taylor, the previous season had been fantastic, he played a key role in leading New Zealand to the final of the second consecutive ICC Cricket World Cup.
He broke Stephen Fleming’s all-time test runs record for New Zealand and became the first cricketer to play 100 International matches in all three formats. Taylor, 36, has scored 1,389 runs in all three formats in a season. Taylor attributed his performance to the late Martin Crowe, who helped him improve his technique and set goals.
Taylor said, “I’m sure he would be proud of it. Martin has played a huge role in improving my career to a great extent through his experience and intelligence.”
He said that Martin always inspired me to break the record. I think he would probably be surprised that I have done so well.
He said, “I am fortunate to have been helped by many people and I think it is good to thank them when you win the award in this way.”
On the other hand, Southee took 40 wickets in eight Tests. It includes 14 wickets taken by him in two Test series against India at Wellington and Christchurch. In four Tests, New Zealand won during the decider, taking 25 wickets at an average of 16.40.