Players finally united with their winnings - thanks to CricInfo

It took 12 months, but the player of last year's Super Max series and the player of the finals were united with their winners' cheques today.

CricInfo disclosed in a recent interview with former New Zealand representative and Wellington all-rounder Richard Petrie that when awarded the player of the series award last year, live on television, he had been handed an envelope only to find there was nothing in it.

Player of the final Matthew Walker suffered the same fate.

Petrie thought the fault lay with SKY Television.

However, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Christopher Doig learned what had happened when reading the story on CricInfo and immediately made enquiries at NZC.

Responsibility for the player payments last year was NZC's and Doig said it had been an administrative oversight that the payments had not been made.

He presented the payments to Petrie and Walker before today's final and apologised for the delay in getting the money to them.

Wellington backed up its success in last year's Super Max final by repeating its victory in cold conditions at Eden Park Outer Oval.

Man of the match this year was Roger Twose of Wellington, who when he was presented the cheque by Doig had enquired if there was anything in the envelope.

Beaten semi-finalist Otago provided the man of the series winner in Karl O'Dowda.