Wellington Firebirds batsman Devon Conway was today named the Men’s Domestic Player of the Year for a second straight year at the ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards, after becoming the first man to top all three domestic run-scoring charts in the same season.
He was joined on the awards list by title-winning Wellington Blaze seamer Jess Kerr who was rewarded for her break-out season by winning the Phyl Blackler Cup for domestic bowling, after topping both the women’s and men’s Dream11 Super Smash wicket-taking tables with 20 wickets at an impressive average of 10.
Conway’s supreme domestic men’s award made it two honours in two days after the Wellington Firebirds star claimed the men’s Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year award on Tuesday.
Conway’s brilliant batting year featured 701 Plunket Shield runs at an average of 87, including a highest score of 327 not-out against Canterbury; 553 Ford Trophy runs at 55 and at a strike-rate of 99, and 543 Dream11 Super Smash runs at 67, and at a strike-rate of 145.
He said it was more than just the runs that made the season satisfying.
“It was a brilliant season for the Firebirds,” he said.
“We’ve got a great culture in the team and to claim two of the three trophies was a huge effort; especially winning the Plunket Shield after something like 16 years which was really special.
“I didn’t ever expect to win this award two years in a row so it’s certainly something I’ll cherish and it’s a pretty awesome feeling to be honest.
“I’ve got to say thank-you to the team management, support staff and my teammates – I couldn’t have achieved these awards without their help so I’m really grateful to them.”
Conway becomes eligible for New Zealand A and BLACKCAPS selection in August.
Right-arm swing bowler Jess Kerr made the 2019-20 season her own with the ball earning her maiden ODI and T20 International call ups to the WHITE FERNS.
"It's very exciting," she said.
"It was great having all the WHITE FERNS available to play - I was playing alongside five very experienced players which was just awesome and then having Sophie Devine's leadership gave me confidence too which definitely helped the whole team."
Kerr follows her sister, fellow Blaze and WHITE FERNS leg-spinner Amelia, who won the award at last year's ceremony.
2020 ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards, April 28 – 1 May
Tuesday
Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding Services to Cricket: Ian Smith
Women’s Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year: Sophie Devine
Men’s Dream11 Super Smash Player of the Year: Devon Conway
Wednesday
Men’s Domestic Player of the Year: Devon Conway
Women’s Domestic Player of the Year: Katie Gurrey
The Redpath Cup for first-class batting: Tom Latham
The Ruth Martin Cup for women’s domestic batting: Katie Gurrey
The Winsor Cup for first-class bowling: Tim Southee
The Phyl Blackler Cup for women’s domestic bowling: Jess Kerr
Article added: Wednesday 29 April 2020
