Cricket makes the Queen’s cut

Cricket’s featured prominently in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours with five people rewarded for their service to the summer game.

New Zealand Cricket Chairman Stuart Heal has been made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his outstanding contribution to cricket and the wider community.

The Cromwell resident has been at the helm of the national cricket association since 2013, after serving as a director from 2008 and spending six years as chairman of Otago Cricket.

Joining Heal as a MNZM is former New Zealand captain Barry Sinclair.

Sinclair played 21 Tests for his country and stepped into the leadership breach left by John R Reid’s retirement in 1965.

79 year old Sinclair’s been a faithful servant to the North Shore Cricket Club and is a long time supporter and current patron of the Cricket Players Association.

Canterbury sports personality Lesley Murdoch’s been made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to sport.

It’s the second Queen's Birthday honour for the New Zealand cricket and hockey international, who received an MBE in 1987, during the height of her playing career.

Former fast bowler Gary Troup joins Murdoch as an ONZM due to his service to sport and the community in South Auckland.

Duel international Blair Furlong has also accepted the Queen's Service Medal for services to rugby and cricket in Hawke's Bay.

Furlong was Chief executive of the Central Districts Cricket Association for 22 years up until 2010 and was a determined backer of the development of McLean Park into an international rugby and cricket venue.