Nevill, Voges, Fawad honoured

Ashes tourists Peter Nevill, Adam Voges and Fawad Ahmed have deservedly scooped the major garlands at their state awards nights. All three men were rewarded for fine seasons with Test selection for the tours of the West Indies and England, and the awards were further indicators of their strong seasons.

Wicketkeeper Nevill was handed the Steve Waugh Medal as the best New South Wales player for 2014-15 in a ceremony at Sydney's Hilton Hotel following a season in which he regained his very best touch with the bat while maintaining his typically tidy work behind the stumps - even playing as a batsman when Australia's vice-captain Brad Haddin was available.

Voges was handed the Laurie Sawle Medal as Western Australia's most valuable cricketer in Perth the day after he was announced as a batsman for the national team's tours of the Caribbean and the UK - some nine years after he was 12th man in the third Ashes Test against England at the WACA Ground as far back as 2006.

A tally of more than 1300 Sheffield Shield runs for the summer elbowed Voges ahead of the younger Joe Burns in the race for the final batting spot on the Ashes tour. His experience of England, having played multiple seasons of county cricket with the Dukes balls to be used in the Tests, was another advantage for Voges.

Fawad, who won the Bill Lawry medal, claimed 48 wickets in the Shield season, including a return of 8 for 89 in the Shield final against Western Australia to help secure the title for Victoria. His prolific wicket-taking was allied to improved fielding, batting and fitness to render him a most attractive proposition for selectors looking for a counterpoint to the off breaks of Nathan Lyon on West Indian and English pitches expected to be slow and favourable to turn.

Nevill celebrated his medal alongside Alex Blackwell, who won the Belinda Clark Medal as the most outstanding female cricketer in NSW over the past summer. The NSW chief executive Andrew Jones paid a warm tribute to both cricketers.

Cricket NSW Chief Executive Andrew Jones paid tribute to Nevill and Blackwell for their performances during the summer.

"Peter Nevill and Alex Blackwell are both worthy winners of the Steve Waugh and Belinda Clark Medals. They ranked among the top performers in the country in each of their respective competitions, and have been judged as the best performed NSW players by their team mates, coaches and match officials," said Jones.

"Peter Nevill's efforts have been crucial to the NSW Blues' success this summer. He delivered big runs at crucial times while his superb glovework has set the standard for all wicketkeepers searching for higher honours. It takes a long time to be an overnight success and it is wonderful to see Peter get the rewards he has worked so hard for at NSW and International level.

"Alex's success is a reflection of her preparation and commitment. She has been representing NSW at this level since 2001 and it is wonderful that she has been finally able to play a full season as a professional. It is another marvellous milestone in a uniquely successful career.

"Peter and Alex are outstanding people as well as outstanding players and we salute them."