WELLINGTON — New Zealand's unprecedented success in reaching the Cricket World Cup final earlier this year has resulted in honors for captain Brendon McCullum and coach Mike Hesson. Both were appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (NZOM) in the Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Honors list released Monday. Therese Walsh, head of the New Zealand organizing committee for the 2015 World Cup, which was co-hosted with Australia, was made a Dame Companion of the NZOM. The honors were announced as McCullum eyed a series-leveling Test victory over England after leading his side to a commanding position on the third day of the second Test at Headingley. Hesson said he hoped the accolades would be seen as recognition for the entire New Zealand team, both on and off the field. “We front the team from a coach and captain's perspective but we wouldn't be here receiving this honor without a very good group of cricketers and really good support staff around us. I feel honored, privileged and surprised,” he said. McCullum, who made his international debut in a One-Day International against Australia in 2002 and played his first Test against South Africa two years later, said he was “humbled” to be recognized. “It feels funny accepting one of these but I'm sure the rest of the guys will enjoy it too,” he said. “We're trying to make an impact on sport while we have an opportunity, and leave it in a better space than when we took over.” New Zealand surprised the cricket world when they went into the World Cup in February as outsiders and were the only unbeaten team in pool play before eventually losing the final to Australia a month later. McCullum and Hesson have been New Zealand's captain and coach since 2012 and in addition to taking the side to the World Cup final for the first time they also led New Zealand to an unprecedented five Test wins in the 2014-15 season. Watling makes light of injury New Zealand's BJ Watling was described as gritty and gutsy by his teammates after he showed those qualities in a composed innings of 120 against England that turned the second Test its way. New Zealand declared on 454 for eight Monday to leave England needing 455 to pull off the highest successful run chase in Test history to win the second and final match of the series. The 29-year-old wicketkeeper has a knee injury which prevented him from donning the gloves at Headingley but he was picked as a specialist batsman and repaid the selectors' faith with his fifth Test century. “He is a gritty little character, he can bat anywhere in the order,” New Zealand opener Martin Guptill told Sky Sports after making a fine 70 himself. “When Watling gets going he can really get big scores.” “With the way the guys batted it turned out to be a pretty good day for us,” Southee told the BBC. “BJ Watling is just a gutsy, determined player and it's nice to see him get the rewards for the hard work he puts in. “If you'd said yesterday afternoon that we would end the day in the position that we are we would have grabbed it with both hands.” — Agencies
