Cricket: Sinclair named most valuable player

Mathew Sinclair scored four centuries. Photo / Paul Estcourt

His team lost the State Championship final but Central Districts cricketer Mathew Sinclair has still emerged a winner.

The former international batsman was yesterday awarded the title of most valuable player at domestic level for the 2008-09 season.

He was a comfortable winner of the inaugural MVP competition, finishing well ahead of the field.

Wellington seamer Graham Napier was second, while Sinclair's Central teammate Ewen Thompson was third.

The MVP ranking system was launched by New Zealand Cricket and the New Zealand Cricket Players' Association at the start of the summer.

Originally developed by the Professional Cricketers' Association in England, it allows all aspects of a player's game to be assessed, providing a ranking in relation to other players.

The MVP works on a cumulative points system that rewards players for every run scored, every wicket taken and every catch held and a player also earns bonus points based on other criteria important to the outcome of the match.

Sinclair performed consistently in all three domestic competitions this season, averaging 75.33 in scoring 904 runs with four centuries.

"The MVP is a great initiative, and I am really proud to have won it," Sinclair said. "The fact that it was developed by players means a lot. There's been quite a bit of dressing-room banter over it this season, and I'm sure that will grow."

Other MVP prizewinners included Otago's Neil Wagner for bowling, Canterbury wicketkeeper and captain Kruger van Wyk for fielding and rookie Auckland legspinner Tarun Nethula for the overall MVP game average.

- NZPA