Martin Guptill headlines HRV Cup All Stars

Auckland Aces star Martin Guptill was the most popular choice in the HRV Cup All Stars XI with 97.6% of all fans and 100% of experts selecting the hard hitting opener in their side.

Brendon McCullum was also hugely popular, along with the Ross Taylor and Dean Brownlie who were clear choices in the top order. Azhar Mahmood, Rob Nicol and Dan Vettori took out the three all-rounders spots, edging out James Franklin and Kane Williamson.

The wicket-keeping berth was the most hotly contested category with international star Brendan Taylor and Northern Knights stumper Pete McGlashan featuring prominently but it was the competition winning captain, Gareth Hopkins, who got the nod.

Muttiah Muralitharan was also close to making the side but it was local tweaker Ronnie Hira who made the cut, along with seamers Tim Southee and Michael Bates.

Martin Guptill – Auckland Aces
Brendon McCullum – Otago Volts
Ross Taylor – Central Stags
Dean Brownlie – Canterbury Wizards
Azhar Mahmood – Auckland Aces
Rob Nicol – Canterbury Wizards
Daniel Vettori – Northern Knights
Gareth Hopkins – Auckland Aces
Ronnie Hira – Auckland Aces
Tim Southee – Northern Knights
Michael Bates – Auckland Aces

The challenge for fans was to pick from a selection of batsmen, bowlers, wicketkeepers and all-rounders to build a team that matched that of the expert selectors from SKY TV and Radio Sport.

Joseph Tollison from Hawkes Bay was the lucky winner, picking up over $4000.00 worth of prizes from HRV.