Cricket News, Record-Breakers and, Cricket Updates
It was a night of historic milestones and family dominance at the 2026 New Zealand Cricket Awards on Thursday, as seamer Jacob Duffy and captain Amelia Kerr claimed the country’s highest individual honors.
The evening was defined by Duffy’s meteoric rise to the pinnacle of the men’s game and Kerr’s continued reign as the undisputed queen of New Zealand cricket.
Duffy Topples a Legend’s Record
Jacob Duffy walked away as the man of the hour, securing the prestigious Sir Richard Hadlee Medal. The award follows a landmark 2025 season where Duffy surpassed Sir Richard Hadlee’s long-standing record for the most wickets by a New Zealander in a single calendar year.
Stepping into a spearhead role following an injury crisis during the West Indies Test series, Duffy was relentless. He captured 23 wickets at a staggering average of 15.43, including a marathon 43-over shift in the final innings of the Christchurch Test.
“Jacob’s durability and ability to take wickets in pressure moments made him the most complete bowling performer of the season,” remarked Sir Richard Hadlee during the presentation.
Duffy’s trophy cabinet grew significantly heavier as he also collected the Test Player of the Year and the Winsor Cup for men’s first-class bowling.
A Fourth Consecutive Crown for Amelia Kerr
Amelia “Melie” Kerr made history of her own, scooping up her fourth consecutive Debbie Hockley Medal. Now the full-time captain, Kerr’s summer was defined by “Player of the Series” performances in T20I clashes against Zimbabwe and South Africa, alongside a dominant ODI display against Zimbabwe.
Legendary batter Debbie Hockley described Kerr as a “dominant force in every facet of the game,” noting her status as one of the most influential figures in the history of the women’s sport.
The Kerr Family Sweep
It was a banner night for the Kerr household. While Amelia took home the top medal and the Women’s T20I Player of the Year, her elder sister Jess Kerr dominated the domestic circuit. Jess was named:
Women’s Domestic Player of the Year
Super Smash Women’s Player of the Year
Phyl Blackler Cup (Women’s domestic bowling)
Lifetime Achievement and Hall of Fame
The Bert Sutcliffe Medal for outstanding services to cricket was awarded to Martin Snedden. The former seamer and NZC chief executive was recognized for a lifetime of contribution to the sport’s infrastructure and growth in New Zealand.
The evening also saw the expansion of the NZC Hall of Fame, with former all-rounders Jeremy Coney and Haidee Tiffen becoming the latest legends to be formally inducted.
2026 Award Winners at a Glance
Award
Winner
Debbie Hockley Medal
Amelia Kerr
Sir Richard Hadlee Medal
Jacob Duffy
Bert Sutcliffe Medal
Martin Snedden
Men’s T20I Player of the Year
Tim Seifert (326 runs @ 46.57)
Men’s ODI Player of the Year
Daryl Mitchell
Men’s Domestic Player of the Year
Henry Nicholls
Umpire of the Year
Chris Gaffaney
