Sophie Devine and Tim Southee were honoured by their peers for their performances in the 2019-20 season in an online ceremony because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New Zealand women’s skipper receiving the Cricket Players’ Association Players’ Award and the men’s fast bowler getting the Players’ Cap.
While this is the second time Southee has won the honour (after 2013), for Devine it’s an incredible three-in-a-row, helping her match Kane Williamson, who had won it from 2015 to 2017.
Devine has been in fantastic form in the period under consideration, especially with the bat. At the recent women’s T20 World Cup, she finished seventh in the list of top run-getters with 132 runs from four innings. And prior to the World Cup, she was in stunning form at home against South Africa, scoring an incredible 54*, 61, 77 and 105 in the T20I series, while also picking up four wickets.
“It is a real honour to be able to present this award to such a deserving recipient as Sophie,” former cricketer Rebecca Rolls said while presenting the award.
Southee, meanwhile, became the third to win the Cap more than once, joining Williamson and Ross Taylor, who had won it last year.
It was a big season for Southee, too, especially in Test cricket, where he picked up 33 wickets in six games.
“Earning the right to receive the Players’ Cap is difficult – it requires consistency of form, fitness, perseverance and above all else, meaningful contributions to the team on a regular basis, whatever the format,” former captain Daniel Vettori said of Southee’s win. “Tim has had a remarkable year and is a truly deserving recipient of this award.”
Source: ESPN Crickinfo