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National | Black Caps

First Māori to be awarded NZ Cricket Player of the Year

Trent Boult has dethroned his skipper to win the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal for outstanding player of the year at New Zealand Cricket's annual awards in Auckland.  The 28-year-old of Ngāti Porou and Te Arawa received the award shortly before he took off to India for a two-month contract.

Trent Boult says, “A little lost for words to be honest.  But, it's been a great year and I definitely love my cricket and it's nice to finish up with something like that".

Boult has a strong reputation in all three cricket formats and at test level, he saved his best for last.

In the test series against England, Boult took fifteen wickets, including nine in the first test in Auckland.

But his success doesn't stop there.

He gained membership in the ICC ODI Team of the Year and cemented his place against the West Indies in December with 7 wickets, becoming the sixth New Zealand player to take at least 200 test wickets.

"It's still definitely something I’m learning, some days are better than the others," says Boult, "But this year has been full-on than the others and I've hundred percent enjoyed it".

NZ Cricket CEO David White is happy with the results.

White says, “What a year.  I think he got over 70 wickets in all three formats and he’s been phenomenal so it’s no surprises at all".

Boult is now on his flight to India to start up his two-month contract for the Dehli Daredevils for $470,000.