Katich earns more glory

Simon Katich ended a week in which he returned to the Australia squad by picking up the Steve Waugh Medal as New South Wales' outstanding player. Katich's dream season included a record 1506 runs at 94.13 and the Pura Cup trophy before his promotion to the Test outfit for next month's West Indies tour.

He dominated the judging for the medal, which included Pura and FR Cup matches, picking up 269 votes and easily beating Brad Haddin's 129 at the ceremony in Sydney on Friday night. Katich also received back-to-back Pura Cup Player of the Year awards after posting five centuries, including a career-high 306 against Queensland. Doug Bollinger, the left-arm fast bowler, earned 111 nominations to finish 80 behind his captain.

Haddin, who will join Katich in the West Indies, was the limited-overs star and was recognised for his FR Cup form after winning one more vote than Dominic Thornely's 87. International commitments meant Haddin appeared in only six games, but his 314 runs and seven dismissals swayed the judges and ensured he matched last season's victory.

The Belinda Clark Medal was won for the third year in a row by Lisa Sthalekar, the Australia vice-captain. Sthalekar, a batting allrounder, collected 312 runs and 12 wickets as she steered the New South Wales Breakers to their third consecutive WNCL title. The campaign was a successful one for Sthalekar, who had already been named the WNCL Player of the Year and the Australian Women's International Player of the Year.

"Simon and Lisa have both had fantastic seasons in leading their respective sides to victory," David Gilbert, the New South Wales chief executive, said. "Simon's performances were phenomenal and winning the Steve Waugh Medal is a just reward for his outstanding, record-breaking summer. Lisa has also had an impressive summer and her form was a major factor in the Breakers winning the WNCL for an incredible 10th time in 12 seasons."

The Rising Star Awards went to Phillip Hughes, who at 19 became the youngest to score a century in a domestic final, and the 17-year-old Ellyse Perry, Australia's record-setting Test debutant. Richie Benaud, Alan Davidson, Bob Simpson and Steve Waugh received medals and entry into the state's Hall of Fame, which welcomed the 12 members of New South Wales' team of the past 150 years.