Queen's Birthday Honours 2015: Mike Hesson and Brendon McCullum
The duo that played the nation's cricket team across the boundary to a first World Cup final is recognised.
The duo that played the nation’s cricket team across the boundary to a first World Cup final has been recognised in this year’s Queen’s Birthday honours.
Blacks Caps coach Mike Hesson and captain Brendon McCullum have both been appointed officers of The New Zealand Order of Merit for services to cricket.
The Black Caps won plaudits from across the globe for the manner in which the side reached the Cricket World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in March this year.
Though, unfortunately bowing out to Australia in the final, Messrs Hesson and McCullum revolutionised an aggressive approach to the gentleman’s game, while maintaining unparalleled sportsmanship.
A report in The Guardian read: “New Zealand have given the tournament a run for its money, reigniting a passion for the game in their homeland, not just by the manner in which they play their cricket but the spirit in which they did so.
“It is something that could serve as a lesson to some others.”
The Black Caps have climbed the international cricket rankings this year, rising to third in both ODIs and Test Matches.
Mr McCullum has been Black Caps one day international (ODI) captain since 2008, for which he debuted in 2002, and test captain since 2012.
Last year, he became the first New Zealander to score a triple century, reaching 302 against India at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.
Mr Hesson was appointed Black Caps coach in 2012 and has a career spanning 20 years.
His previous coaching roles have been diverse, ranging from the relative unknown Argentinian side to Otago, and more recently, Kenya.
The pair are currently playing the second test match in a two-game series against England, where hopefully Mr McCullum has avoided a pair.
Hamish McNicol
Mon, 01 Jun 2015
Mon, 01 Jun 2015
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Queen's Birthday Honours 2015: Mike Hesson and Brendon McCullum
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