Top awards to Carson, Phillips

Otago Sparks star Eden Carson (centre) celebrates with team-mates after their dramatic...
Otago Sparks star Eden Carson (centre) celebrates with team-mates after their dramatic Hallyburton Johnstone Shield final victory at the University Oval last month. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES
Eden Carson and Dale Phillips have been named Otago cricketers of the year for their respective teams.

Carson was influential in the Sparks' successful defence of the Hallyburton Johnstone Shield.

The White Ferns offspinner was the leading wicket-taker in the competition. She nabbed 22 wickets at an average of 17.27.

She also clouted an undefeated 59 from 43 balls in the final despite struggling with a nasty cold.

The 23-year-old was also named bowler of the year, which makes total sense considering she was also the leading wicket-taker in the Super Smash.

She was also named Sparks Super Smash player of the year.

You sense further honours await Carson at the New Zealand Cricket awards.

Phillips had an impressive season as well. He stood out in the white-ball campaigns with his electric fielding and aggressive approach at the top of the order.

He had a productive Ford Trophy, notching 457 runs at 45.70. He also took eight catches.

Phillips was less prolific in the T20s but maintained an impressive strike rate of 154.41 and also pouched 11 catches.

He also picked up the fielding award and the batter of the year title.

New White Fern Polly Inglis also had a successful night. She collected the batter of the year and fielder of the year awards.

Felicity Robertson was named Sparks one-day player of the year.

Anna Browning scooped the rising star award and Caitlin Blakely got the players’ player of the year award.

The Sparks’ outstanding individual performance award was shared between Carson and PJ Watkins for their match-winning undefeated 102-run partnership in the one-day final.

Matt Bacon was named bowler of the year and Ford Trophy player of the year for the Volts.

Middle-order batter Thorn Parkes claimed the Plunket Shield player of the year title, and wicketkeeper Max Chu was named Super Smash player of the year and player’s player of the year.

Jamal Todd collected the rising star award for some heavy-hitting displays.

The Volts’ outstanding individual performance went to Luke Georgeson and Chu for their match-saving partnership against Canterbury in a first-class game in Rangiora.

The pair added 265 and set an Otago seventh-wicket partnership record.

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