Wellington, April 14 : New Zealand pace bowler Tim Southee was awarded the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal at the New Zealand Cricket Awards on Thursday for his consistency throughout the 2021/22 season. This is Southee’s first Sir Richard Hadlee Medal in his 14-year-long career. He was awarded the medal for his stellar performances across three formats in the latest season during which he snared 36 Test wickets at 23.88, including best figures of 6/43 against England at Lord’s and five crucial wickets against India in the victorious ICC World Test Championship Final at Southampton. Southee is New Zealand’s third-highest wicket-taker in Tests, 23 wickets behind Daniel Vettori and 93 short of the record-holder the award is named after, Sir Richard Hadlee. The right-arm swing bowler spearheaded the New Zealand attack at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and captained the side for the T20I series away in India. He claimed 12 wickets over the T20I season at 19.75, with a best of 3-16 against India. “It’s a huge honour to win such a prestigious award,” Southee said. “Like most cricketers growing up I knew all about the exploits of Sir Richard and it’s certainly pretty humbling to win his award this year,” he said. “While the accolades are nice, I think it really just reflects the way we have worked together as a group and played our cricket for a long period of time,” Southee said “It’s been great to be a part of this period and being able to win games for our country which is something that’s very special,” he added. The Blackcaps great Hadlee himself extended congratulations to Southee after winning the award, calling him a “deserving winner.” Hadlee was also part of the selection panel that scouted Southee 14 years ago and he believes that the pacer will soon breach the 400 Test wickets barrier and challenge his record of 431. “You’re a very deserving winner,” Hadlee said. “We go back 14 years to when I was part of the selection panel who first picked you and to watch you develop over the years into the fine-tuned bowler you are now has been quite remarkable,” he said. “You seem to be in total control of your game and bowling as well as you ever have. You’ve got a simple technique which is easy to repeat, and your skill sets have gone to another level,” Hadlee said. “No doubt the 400 Test wickets are in sight and maybe that magic number 431 is in the back of your mind,” he said. “So, I’ll be watching that with some interest and if you are to reach that mark, I’m prepared to sit here and say, ‘it’s time for me to let it go’. I would be very satisfied and pleased that it would be you to do it – so there you go there’s a wee bit of motivation for you,” Hadlee said. “I really do congratulate you Tim on what you’ve achieved and no doubt you’ve got a few more years to give to New Zealand cricket and the game in general,” he added. Among other notable awardees, Devon Conway bagged the Test Player of the Year Award after starring on his debut with a double-century against England at Lord’s and scoring 767 runs at 63.91 over the season. The International Women’s T20 Player of the Year was awarded to Sophie Devine while Amelia Kerr was crowned the Women’s ODI Player of the Year. BM