Nominees for The National Bank 2003 New Zealand Cricket Awards named

New Zealand Cricket today named its nominees for The National Bank 2003 New Zealand Cricket Awards.

The nominees and winners will be recognised at the annual awards dinner this Thursday night (April 3) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Auckland.

New Zealand Cricket chief executive Martin Snedden said the awards dinner was a chance to sit back and reflect on some of the individual achievements that occurred within the last year.

"There have been some stand out performances by the TelstraClear Black Caps including the team's first ever Test series win in the West Indies and the Test and One-Day International series wins against India.

"Every year there are men and women who distinguish themselves through their high level of performance.

"For an athlete to stand out consistently from the rest at this level through their achievements requires a combination of skill, discipline and dedication.

"As much as the actual performances of the individuals, it is these commendable attributes which we are recognising and celebrating at The National Bank New Zealand Cricket Awards Dinner."

The list of nominees is:

Ruth Martin Cup
Awarded to the batsman whose performance in women's cricket have been the most meritorious.

Emily Drumm
Nicola Payne
Maia Lewis

Phyl Blackler Cup
Awarded to the bowler whose performances in women's cricket have been the most meritorious.

Frances King
Emily Drumm
Rebecca Steele

Walter Hadlee Trophy
For the most meritorious batting by a New Zealand player in One-Day Internationals.

Nathan Astle
Stephen Fleming
Scott Styris

Walter Hadlee Trophy
For the most meritorious bowling by a New Zealand player in One-Day Internationals.

Shane Bond
Jacob Oram
Scott Styris

Redpath Cup
Awarded to the batsman whose performances in men's first-class cricket has been the most meritorious.

Stephen Fleming
Tim McIntosh
Mark Richardson

Winsor Cup
Awarded to the bowler whose performances in men's first-class cricket have been the most meritorious.

Shane Bond
Daryl Tuffey
Matthew Walker

The premier award is:

The National Bank Player of the Year
Presented to the player whose performances in New Zealand Cricket have been the most outstanding over the last 12 months. The nominees for this award will not be made public until the evening as to announce them early may provide a signal as to the winners of the other awards. Nathan Astle was last year's National Bank Player of the Year.

Recipients of the following awards will also be named on the night:

Sutcliffe Medal
For outstanding services to cricket

State Medal
Awarded to the most outstanding player in men's domestic cricket, as voted by opposition coaches during the domestic season

State Plate
Awarded to the most outstanding player in women's domestic cricket, as voted by opposition coaches during the domestic season