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New Zealand's Brendon McCullum bats for the Kochi Tuskers - Source: Getty Images
New Zealand's Indian Premier League contingent will likely have mixed feelings about the total lack of recognition afforded to the 2011 edition of the tournament in this country.
Some would say that's about as much recognition as it deserves. Nevertheless, the exploits of a few of our internationals are worth a mention.
Of the eight New Zealanders were involved in IPL action this year (nine if you count victorious Chennai coach Stephen Fleming), three were central to their team's fortunes, another couple were afforded a handful of games, while the other three spent more time holding the drinks than a bat or ball.
Tim Southee (Chennai). 5 matches, 4 wickets at 41.5, economy rate 8.7.
Despite showing his wares on the subcontinent during the World Cup, Southee's appearances were sporadic as he battled for fast bowling spots with Doug Bollinger, Albie Morkel and Dwayne Bravo, and he failed to claim more than one wicket on any of his five outings.
Scott Styris (Chennai). 2 matches, 5 runs, SR 250.
Faced just two deliveries (a cheeky $122,000 per delivery) for a single and a boundary; hence the superhuman strike rate. Bowled a solitary over and took one catch, and for his troubles he can add "2011 IPL winner" to his resume.
Brendon McCullum (Kochi). 13 matches, 357 runs at 27.46, SR 129.8.
After a couple of middling seasons in the IPL, McCullum re-emerged with the fledgling Tuskers to be their top run-getter for the season, as well as the fastest scorer among the established batsmen. McCullum's infamous scoop-shot came to the fore as he blasted 81 off 60 balls to guide the Tuskers to their first ever win over hot favourites Mumbai.
Daniel Vettori (Bangalore). 13 matches, 12 wickets at 25.9, ER 6.0.
Bangalore's captain was a virtual ever-present, missing just three games and leading his charges into the final. Once again highlighted his Twenty20 pedigree by conceding an exceptional six runs an over while taking more wickets than any other Bangalore spinner. The only Black Cap to feature in the final, Vettori took none for 34 and made a golden duck as the Royal Challengers' chase fell short.
James Franklin (Mumbai). 8 matches, 107 runs at 53.5, SR 138. 3 wickets at 33, ER 9.7.
Of the New Zealand contingent, Franklin's endeavours were probably the most prominent. First he powered the Indians to victory in the final round robin match with an unbeaten 23-ball 45; then three days later he struck an unbeaten 29 to take Sachin Tendulkar's men within one game of the final. New Zealand fans will be pleading with Franklin to somehow transfer his prodigious form on the subcontinent to the home front.
Jacob Oram (Rajasthan). 2 matches, no runs. 1 wicket at 45, ER 11.25.
Oram was always going to play second fiddle to Shane Watson for the Royals; even so his appearances were strangely few and far between.
Nathan McCullum (Pune). 2 matches, 26 runs at 26, SR 118. No wickets, ER 6.8.
Another New Zealander used largely as a bit-part player, by a Pune team which leaned heavily on leg-spinner Rahul Sharma and part-timer Yuvraj Singh. A couple of cameos with the bat were all he had to show the campaign; though few would begrudge him his handsome pay cheque after almost a decade of hard toil for his native Otago.
Jesse Ryder (Pune). 13 matches, 292 runs at 22.5, SR 148.
Ryder's contributions were generally short but sweet: he faced on average just 15 balls per innings but scored his runs at a rate near nine an over. His 27-ball 60 against fellow strugglers Delhi came in vain, although he later smashed 35 off 20 balls to set up victory against the Deccan Chargers.
