Williamson named Northern Districts' best

Kane Williamson has capped off his rapid rise in New Zealand's domestic cricket by being named Northern Districts' cricketer of the year for 2008-09. Williamson, 18, won the prize ahead of his more experienced colleagues after an excellent season in the four-day and 50-over formats.

Williamson was his side's leading run scorer in the State Championship with 707 runs at 54.38 and his 320 runs at 45.71 helped Northern Districts win the State Shield. His spin also played a key part in their victory in the final, when his ten overs for 23 helped tie down Otago.

The batsman Johann Myburgh won the equivalent title at Cantebury, where he finished the season with 739 State Championship runs at 61.58. Myburgh, who was born in South Africa, qualifies to play for New Zealand in September next year.

Martin Guptill was awarded the cricketer of the year title at Auckland, finishing off a sensational year in which he made his one-day international and Test debuts for New Zealand. It was a strong turnaround after he suffered a dislocated knee at the start of the season.