The award is the result of a recommendation by the panel of cricket experts asked annually to select the nominees and winners of the key categories at NZC's annual awards dinner.
The 2009-10 panel of former NZC president selector Don Neely, broadcaster and former test wicketkeeper Ian Smith and veteran commentator Bryan Waddle said there should be an award for an outstanding one-off individual performance that often went without formal recognition within the existing awards structure.
"Because the new award will be a celebration of outstanding individual performance it will be more subjective than our standard awards," said Justin Vaughan, NZ Cricket chief executive.
"We have therefore decided to engage the voice of our cricket fans to determine the inaugural winner of the award," he said.
The nominees are:
* Ross Taylor - Fastest test century by a Black Cap, in the second test against Australia in Hamilton. His century came off 81 balls;
* Shane Bond - Match-winning performance against Pakistan in the first test at University Oval. He took eight for 153 in his first test since 2007;
* Peter McGlashan - The Northern Knights keeper took a world record 12 catches in a Plunket Shield game against the Central Stags;
* Brendon McCullum - 116 not out against Australia in the second Twenty20 in Christchurch. His score came off 56 balls and included eight sixes and 12 fours
* Tim Southee - Death bowling in the second Twenty20 against Australia in Christchurch. He bowled six near perfect yorkers to tie the match before taking one wicket and limiting Australia to six runs in the "super over".
Cricket fans can vote on www.blackcaps.co.nz/fanschoice and go into the draw to win a trip to the awards evening to present the award.
