SYDNEY, April 5: After being recalled for the tour of the West Indies, Australian batsman Simon Katich ended the week by claiming the Steve Waugh Medal as New South Wales’ exceptional player.

Katich’s fantastic 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 tour to the Caribbeans.

The left-hander dominated the judging for the medal, which included Pura and FR Cup matches, picking up 269 votes and easily surpassing Brad Haddin’s 129 at the ceremony held in Sydney 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 pace bowler, earned 111 nominations to finish 80 behind his captain.—Agencies