WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson have both been awarded one of New Zealand’s highest civil honours for their part in leading New Zealand to the final of this year’s Cricket World Cup.
McCullum and Hesson were made Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the honours list released Monday to mark the annual Queen’s Birthday public holiday.
Hesson said McCullum had “captured a nation, not only with his style of play but with the way he’s encouraged his teammates to embrace the game in terms of passion and spirit.” He said “you don’t coach to try and get honours. You just try and deal with the next day as best you can, but it is an honour.”
The head of the New Zealand World Cup organizing committee, Therese Walsh, was made a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.