Cricket: Worker MVP winner

George Worker

He beat himself up a little for not contributing more in the final but Ford Trophy stats show George Worker lives up to his name.

The 2014-15 champion Devon Hotel Central Districts Stags opening batsman was yesterday named the Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP after ending the 50-over domestic competition as its leading run scorer (538 at 48.91).

The 25-year-old Manawatu left-hander (right) accrued 154.44 points, carving up three centuries as well claiming a career-best 194 runs.

However, the MVP standings is a great snapshot of how it lends credence to coach Heinrich Malan's mantra of putting the team first and everything else will take care of itself in a selfish individual game masquerading as a collective one.

Bench boy Andrew Mathieson was deservedly in second place on the MVP table after claiming 31 scalps in eclipsing the format record that Northern Districts seamer Graeme Aldridge held.

CD captain Kruger van Wyk comes in at fifth on the table, Bevan Small seventh, Will Young ninth and Black Caps test seamer Doug Bracewell 11th.

That many in the top 10 is impressive considering the number lost to national duties and injuries.

To put CD's feat in perspective, runners-up Auckland had only Michael Bates in the top 10.

Worker said: "I am stoked that my performances proved the catalyst to the team winning matches, and although I'll certainly cherish this MVP award, it is something that the whole team should be proud of."

He chose The Cricketers Hardship Trust as the charity to receive the $100 donation for winning his title.

-Ford Trophy MVP standings: 1. George Worker (CD) 154.44pts - batting 105.76 (1st), bowling 30.68 (23rd); 2. Andrew Mathieson (CD) 134.11pts, bowling 117.34 (1st), 3. Michael Bates (Aces) 118.81pts, bowling 86.88 (2nd); 4. Mitchel Santner (ND) 105.90pts, batting 60.93 (10th), bowling 36.97 (17th), 5. Kruger van Wyk (CD), 104.91pts, batting 70.91 (6th).