Andre Adams (Grafton United) was named the Auckland Cricketer of the Year at Auckland Cricket's annual awards dinner this evening (Wednesday).

Adams has enjoyed a highly successful season in domestic cricket and has emerged as a force on the international scene. He played a leading role in the State Auckland Aces victory in the State Championship claiming 31 wickets at an average of 19.45, and scored 256 runs at an average of 25.60. This included two five-wicket bags and three fifties.

He was selected in the TelstraClear Black Caps for the VB Series in Australia during January where he secured a starting position in the last four matches. He went onto play in the one-day series against England taking eight wickets and recording not out scores of 28, 25 and 26 to capture the public's imagination with his effervescence with bat, ball and in the field. He capped off the home season with an aggressive Test debut against England at Eden Park last week claiming 3-61 and 3-44 in New Zealand's victory, and is currently playing with the Black Caps in the triangular one-day tournament in Sharjah.

Other winners were:

Batsman of the Year (Men) - Matt Horne (Grafton United)

Matt Horne was the leading run scorer in the State Shield (one-day) competition with 428 runs at an average of 42.80. In the State Championship he scored 518 runs at an average of 57.55 including two hundreds and a fifty. His highest score of 178 came against Bangladesh, earning a Test recall for the series against Bangladesh and England. Horne was also awarded the State Medal at the New Zealand Cricket awards last week as the most outstanding player in men's domestic cricket.

Batsman of the Year (Women) - Emily Drumm (Parnell)

Emily Drumm was the leading scorer in the State League competition scoring 339 runs at an average of 42.37 including a high score of 112 not out against the State Northern Spirit. She was awarded the Ruth Martin Cup at the New Zealand Cricket awards last week for the most outstanding batting performances in women's cricket. Drumm captained the TelstraClear White Ferns in the series against Australia during February and March. Her highest score of 88 came in the first match at Lincoln.

Bowler of the Year (Men) - Chris Drum (Birkenhead)

Chris Drum took 38 first-class wickets for the State Auckland Aces at an average of 9.63 including 28 wickets in the State Championship. His 53 first-class wickets for Auckland and New Zealand this summer is only the third time a player has taken more than 50 wickets in a season since 1986/87. He returned career best bowling figures of 6-34 against Bangladesh and match figures of 10-55 in round five of the State Championship. He was awarded the Winsor Cup at the New Zealand Cricket awards last week as the best bowler in first-class cricket.

Bowler of the Year (Women) - Helen Watson (Grafton United)

Helen Watson took 12 wickets at an average of 8.91 in the State League. She was the most economical bowler in the competition conceding 1.62 runs per over. She was also selected in the TelstraClear White Ferns for the series against Australia during February and March, but didn't play a match.

VECTOR Young Cricketer of the Year - Rob Nicol (Cornwall)

Rob Nicol made his first-class debut for the State Auckland Aces this season at 18 years of age. He scored 489 runs at an average of 44.45 in the State Championship including two hundreds and a fifty. In scoring his maiden first-class century he became the youngest ever Auckland player to achieve the feat. Nicol was also selected for the New Zealand Under-19 team which contested the ICC Under-19 World Cup in New Zealand during January.

Panda Catering Umpire of the Year - Wayne Knights

Crown Relocations Club Cricketer of the Year (Premier Grade) - Bradley Nielsen (Howick Pakuranga)

Crown Relocations Club Cricketer of the Year (First Grade) - Samir Lala (Eden Roskill)

Club Cricketer of the Year (First Grade Women) - Emily Drumm (Parnell)

© Auckland Cricket Association