“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”

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum and head coach Mike Hesson were bestowed with the honour of being appointed Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit (NZOM) in the Queen Elizabeth II Birthday Honours list on Monday.

The announcement comes after New Zealand reached their first World Cup final ever, in which they ended up losing to Australia by seven wickets.

It has also been confirmed that Therese Walsh, head of the New Zealand organising committee for the 2015 World Cup, was made a Dame Companion of the NZOM.

“It feels funny accepting one of these but I’m sure the rest of the guys will enjoy it too,” McCullum 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.”

Hesson added: “We front the team from a coach and captain’s perspective but we wouldn’t be here receiving this honour without a very good group of cricketers and really good support staff around us. I feel honoured, privileged and surprised.”