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Gary Stead's remarkable rise from fighting for his provincial place last season to making a creditable debut for the Black Caps against South Africa, was marked by his naming as the Canterbury Player of the Year.

Stead, 27, took over as Canterbury captain this season from Lee Germon and has relished the added responsibility, leading by example.

He had the highest aggregate in New Zealand for the Shell Cup season, 468 runs at 52. He was instrumental in Canterbury regaining the cup this season with a match-winning innings of 84 in the final against Wellington, as wickets fell about him.

In three Shell Trophy appearances, Stead scored 176 runs at 44 and he then made 70 for New Zealand A against the Proteas which propelled him into the test line-up.

Stead also received the batsman of the year accolade at Canterbury Cricket's provincial awards function last night.

He hopes to further his unforgettable year by gaining inclusion in the New Zealand team which tours England after the World Cup, being one of seven players on stand-by.

The women's player and batsman of the year is also the Canterbury captain, Debbie Hockley, who had yet another outstanding season with bat and ball, leading the team to the national title. Hockley scored 514 runs at 73.

The men's bowler of the year is right-arm fast-medium bowler Chris Martin. Martin, 24, only made his provincial debut last summer and this season consolidated that good early impression getting among the wickets with some hostile spells.

He topped the Canterbury averages in the Shell Trophy with 19 wickets at 19.36, while he led the national averages in the Shell Cup with 11 wickets at 15.63.

The women's bowler of the year is pace bowler Katrina Withers, who reversed a decision on her availability early in the season in time to capture 15 wickets at just 9.4.

Craig Cumming and Helen Watson won the respective fielding prizes.

A special presentation was made to Mark Priest who claimed the Canterbury wicket-taking record, heading Sir Richard Hadlee (285).

Left-arm spinner Priest finished his 14th season, and 88th match in Canterbury colours, with 290 wickets at 29.3.

All told, he has delivered 21,413 balls (3568.5 overs), bowled 1066 maidens and conceded 8501 runs. He took five wickets in an innings 12 times and 10 wickets in a match three times.

Meanwhile successful Canterbury selection panel conveners, Brian McKechnie and Brigit Hearn, are standing down after five and four seasons in charge respectively.