Haddin wins Steve Waugh Medal

Brad Haddin was named New South Wales' Player of the Year at the state's awards night on Friday, winning the Steve Waugh Medal. Haddin was also the Blues' limited-overs Player of the Year, while Simon Katich took the honours in the Pura Cup.

Haddin was the star of New South Wales' Ford Ranger Cup campaign, slamming 406 runs at 67.66 with an impressive strike-rate of 104.10. His efforts earned him a national call-up for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series in New Zealand and a place in Australia's 15-man World Cup squad.

He also had a solid Pura Cup season, making 669 runs at 55.75, and the Blues missed his middle-order scoring and leadership in the final against Tasmania. Haddin, who is in Antigua at the World Cup, said winning the Steve Waugh Medal was a great honour.

"I've been working extremely hard over a number of seasons, striving to be consistent behind the stumps and with the bat," he said. "To be recognised in this way is something special."

Katich, the Blues' Pura Cup Player of the Year, topped their first-class averages with 711 runs at 64.63 from his seven games. He missed the first few matches while on national duty but made the best of his return to state ranks with two centuries - including an unbeaten 205 - and three fifties.

David Warner, who made his one-day debut during the season, was named as the Blues' Rising Star. Lisa Sthalekar, who captained the New South Wales Breakers to the Women's National Cricket League title, was the Breakers' Player of the Year.