Ford Trophy

Jimmy Neesham holds on to Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP honour

Despite not participating in the final of the Ford Trophy, Otago Volts all rounder Jimmy Neesham has finished at the top of the Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP rankings for the 50 over format. Neesham has prospered for the southern side this season following his move to the Volts, which has not paid the ultimate reward as Neesham can now claim to be the Fujitsu Heat Pumps Most Valuable Player for the Ford Trophy.

It was Neesham's efforts with both bat and ball that saw him take out the MVP honour, finishing the competition with 14 wickets and 205 runs (at an average of 51.25).

Neesham can be particularly proud of his MVP winning performance as he played in only seven matches compared to the ten in which second placed Anaru Kitchen had the chance to play. With the expanded finals series and a number of rain affected matches the MVP tables have an unusual mix of matches played by various players. However, no one can deny the Otago all rounder the honour to the MVP title as he was also the highest placed player in the average points per match (minimum of 5 games).

Auckland Aces batsman Anaru Kitchen performed consistently for his side to not only finish second on the overall MVP rankings, but he was also the winner of the Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP award for Batting. Kitchen and fellow Aces team mate led the Auckland batting effort and along with Colin Munro occupied three of the top five MVP batting positions.

Canterbury Wizards all-rounder Rob Nicol completed another outstanding season of T20 cricket to finish the Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP rankings in 2nd place. Nicol was the only player to feature inside the top 10 of both the overall MVP batting (5th) and bowling (2nd) tables and had the distinction of being the highest placed player in both MVP categories for the Wizards.

Mid way through the Ford Trophy the Auckland Aces welcomed back Mitchell McClenaghan from a long injury and he made an immediate impact capturing consecutive impressive hauls of five a six wickets. McClenaghan continued to take wickets for the Aces and ended up overtaking Wellington's Andy McKay to win the Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP award for bowling.

The winner of the Fujitsu Heat Pumps MVP fielding rankings for the Ford Trophy was Auckland Aces captain and wicket keeper Gareth Hopkins.