Kerr | Henry crowned supreme winners at 2025 ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards

Melie Kerr and Matt Henry have dominated the prize-giving at tonight’s 2025 ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards, Kerr securing the Debbie Hockley Medal for an unprecedented third consecutive year, and Henry taking home the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal.

Kerr’s dominance was the story of the night, her third Debbie Hockley Medal recognising her exceptional performances home and away for the WHITE FERNS and for her domestic Dream11 Super Smash championship-winning side, the Wellington Blaze.

The heartbeat of the WHITE FERNS’ 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup triumph, Kerr was named Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament and was later awarded the Rachel Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, as well as being named ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Year.

At home, she swept the ANZ Women’s ODI Player of the Year (14 wickets, average 33 with the bat) and ANZ Women’s T20I Player of the Year awards, while her 441 runs and 15 wickets earned her the Dream11 Super Smash Women’s Player of the Year title.

“Melie’s consistency, skill, and passion for the game are an inspiration to us all, and I couldn’t be prouder to see her name etched alongside mine once again,” noted Debbie Hockley as she announced the winner.

Henry matched Kerr’s brilliance, earning the Sir Richard Hadlee Medal with a season of inspired success across all formats.

Leading the BLACKCAPS’ attack, Henry claimed ANZ Test Player of the Year honours with 25 wickets at 20.08 in five Tests, including an eight-wicket haul in Bangalore during the historic series win against India.

His 24 wickets at 15.50 secured the ANZ Men’s ODI Player of the Year award, pivotal to the Champions Trophy final run, while 28 wickets at 21.5 earned him the Winsor Cup for men’s first-class bowling.

“Matt’s match-defining contributions in high-stakes matches across all formats underscored his status as the season’s most influential bowler,” commented the award judges.

Jacob Duffy’s world-class 21 wickets at 9.71 in T20Is, elevating him to No.1 in the ICC T20I bowler rankings, earned him the ANZ Men’s T20I Player of the Year, while Kane Williamson’s consistency was recognised with the Redpath Cup for men’s first-class batting.

Brett Hampton (Men’s Domestic Player of the Year) and Eden Carson (Women’s Domestic Player of the Year) led their fields, with Carson’s 40 wickets and match-winning 59 in the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final a highlight.

Tom Bruce (Dream11 Super Smash Men’s Player of the Year), Maddy Green (Ruth Martin Cup), and Eden Carson (Phyl Blackler Cup) rounded out a strong domestic contingent.

A poignant highlight was the Bert Sutcliffe Medal for Outstanding Services to Cricket, NZC’s most prestigious non-playing honour, awarded to Francis Payne.

A cricket historian of global renown, the award recognised Payne’s significant contributions to the documentation and preservation of New Zealand cricket history, most notably through his long-standing, 42-year role as co-editor of the New Zealand Cricket Almanack, a publication regarded as the definitive resource for followers of the Kiwi game.

Payne has also been a familiar figure in New Zealand’s cricket community, frequently appearing as a contributor on radio and television to provide expert commentary and analysis from the 1980s onwards.

“Francis’ meticulous approach to storytelling has brought to life, and continues to illuminate, the people and moments that underpin the game we watch and enjoy today,” noted NZC chair, Diana Puketapu-Lyndon.

Former Otago batter Chris Gaffaney was named the GJ Gardner Homes Umpire of the Year.

Full List of 2025 ANZ New Zealand Cricket Awards Winners