Warwickshire’s Jeetan Patel, Essex’s Simon Harmer and Somerset’s Lewis Gregory and Craig Overton make up the four-man shortlist for the PCA’s May Player of the Month award.
The four players have accrued more PCA Most Valuable Player Ranking points than any other player this month, and the overall winner will now be decided by a supporters’ poll on the PCA and Sky Sports websites. Voting opens at 8am on Friday 31 May and closes at midday on Sunday 2 June.
The MVP formula was designed specifically by the players in conjunction with the PCA to reward match-winning performances.
For example, players will receive bonuses for taking top order wickets, captaining the winning team or hitting a high proportion of their side’s runs. The formula provides a more accurate reflection of the key performers than traditional batting or bowling averages can.
The Overall MVP for the 2019 season will receive a £10,000 cash prize at the end of the season and will follow in the footsteps of 2018 winner Joe Denly.
Winner of the 2014 and 2016 Overall MVP, Jeetan Patel has rolled back the years again this month with a series of stunning performances with the ball, particularly in the Specsavers County Championship. Indeed, the 39-year-old has picked up the PCA Man of the Match award in two of his last three first-class outings.
The first came against Hampshire as Patel picked up eight wickets in the match at Edgbaston. More was to come within the space of two weeks, though, as the former New Zealand international spun the Bears to victory with a sensational 8-36 in the second innings against Surrey. Patel bowled 18 maidens in his 31 overs as he claimed what are now his career best figures.
No player has accrued more MVP points this month than Patel’s 132.
