SYDNEY, March 28: Gurinder Sandhu, Australia’s rising pace bowling star of Indian heritage, on Thursday won the Steve Waugh Medal as the New South Wales cricketer of the season.

The 19-year-old fast bowler won the award after playing only two Sheffield Shield four-day matches and four domestic one-day games.

Sandhu, the first player of Indian background to play for NSW won the medal with 146 votes, three clear of Test wicket-keeper Brad Haddin.

Sandhu first came to prominence through the Australian under-19 team, but in his two Shield matches he took 14 wickets, with a best of five for 31, while in his four one-day Cup appearances he claimed 14 wickets for his state with a best of five for 35.

He also made his debut this season for the Sydney Thunder in the Twenty20 Big Bash, Chairman’s X1 and Australia ‘A’ teams, contributing well to each of them.

Sandhu also won the state’s one-day player of the year award, beating Steven Smith and Haddin.

Sandhu, who was born in Australia after his father emigrated from the Punjab 30 years ago, is the first player of Indian background to represent NSW, according to the state cricket’s official historian.—AFP