Warwickshire off-spinner tops list in final game of the campaign
Monday 2 February 2015 17:42, UK
Jeetan Patel has rounded off a memorable season by winning the title of county cricket’s Most Valuable Player, according to the FTI MVP rankings.
The FTI MVP is a cumulative points system that rewards players for every run scored, wicket taken and catch held - and how well they do it. Players also achieve bonus points based on certain criteria.
The off-spinner took 107 wickets in all competitions in 2014 as Warwickshire finished as runners-up in the County Championship, reached the One-Day Cup final and took victory in the T20 Blast.
Patel eventually closed the gap on Darren Stevens, who had been top of the rankings for some time, overhauling the Kent star right at the end of the season as he scored 45 and took four wickets in Warwickshire’s win over Durham.
Glamorgan skipper Jim Allenby took third, with Nottingamshire's Samit Patel and Peter Trego of Somerset making up the top five.
With Warwickshire's victory over Durham finishing inside three days, Stevens had the chance to reclaim top spot with a score of around 70 on the final day’s play against Gloucestershire, but he was caught for 47 as he fell four points short.
Patel played more matches than anyone else in the country with 41 appearances as he amassed 608 runs to go with the wicket haul which saw him top the list of wicket-takers in the One-Day Cup and T20 Blast.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” said Patel. “It was a great race and finished a tremendous season for me and the boys. I certainly couldn’t have done it without them.
“When I look at the talent I was up against – guys like Darren Stevens, Jim Allenby, Tom Smith, Peter Trego and Samit Patel, who bat bowl and field well across all forms – it makes me very proud to have come out on top.”
The Formula
An overview of the FTI MVP formula is set out below:
Batting + Bowling + Fielding + Captaincy + Winning = Total MVP points
Batting: The basis of the batting points take into account runs scored, the rate scored at, and the percentage of the team's total. Batting bonus points are achieved for reaching a century, achieving a benchmark run-rate (varies per tournament, i.e. 1.5 runs per ball in the Twenty20), and scoring over 30% of a team's runs.
Bowling: The basis for the bowling points take into account the number of wickets and economy rates. Bowlers achieve higher points for getting out higher order batsmen Bowling bonus points are achieved for achieving a benchmark economy rate (varies per tournament, i.e. fewer than 6 runs per over in Twenty20), taking 5 or more wickets in an innings, and bowling maidens.
Fielding: Points are accumulated for catches, run outs - direct hits, run outs – assists, stumpings, with bonuses for 5 fielding dismissals in an innings.
Captaincy: A captain of a winning side receives one bonus point.
Winning teams: All members of a winning team receive one bonus point.
For more information on the FTI MVP ranking system visit www.thepca.co.uk