Vics acknowledged at State Cricket Awards
Mon, 15 March 2010
Queensland wicket-keeper Chris Hartley has capped off a terrific summer by being named Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield Player of the Series for 2009-10 today at the State Cricket Awards luncheon held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The annual State Cricket Awards are held in the lead-up to the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield final each year and Hartley will be hoping to carry his good form from the season into the final starting on Wednesday against hosts Victoria at the MCG. Hartley polled 17 votes for the season, finishing just one clear of Victorian pace-bowler Damien Wright on 16, while New South Wales opener Phillip Hughes was a further two votes back on 14. South Australia's strong season continued, with the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash finalist winning the Benaud Spirit of Cricket Award for the season. The Benaud Spirit of Cricket Awards are decided by umpire votes and recognise State cricket teams which have best played in the spirit of the game in recognition that elite cricket should be played hard - but fair. Victorian stalwart Brad Hodge was awarded the Ford Ranger Cup Player of the Series award, while West Indian import Kieron Pollard tied with New South Wales batsman David Warner to take out the KFC Twenty20 Big Bash Player of the Series award. Hodge, who announced his retirement from four-day cricket during the season, was a standout performer in the Ford Ranger Cup polling 24 votes, comfortably finishing four clear of Tasmanian George Bailey on 20 and Bailey's teammate Travis Birt on 16. It was a tight finish for the KFC Player of the Series with Warner and Pollard locked on 12 votes, just two clear of Tasmanian import Rana Naved on 10 and Victorian recruit Dwayne Bravo on 9. In addition, South Australia's Dan Christian received the Lord's Taverners Indigenous Cricketer of the Year Award and Steve Davis was also presented the Cricket Australia Umpire Award. The Johnnie Walker Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA) All Star Teams for the four-day, one-day and interstate Twenty20 competitions were also announced at today's Awards. The Johnnie Walker ACA Four-day Team of the Year in batting order is: Ed Cowan (TAS) Phillip Hughes (NSW) Michael Klinger (SA) vice-captain George Bailey (TAS) Captain Usman Khawaja (NSW) Steven Smith (NSW) Chris Hartley (QLD) John Hastings (VIC) Ben Cutting (QLD) Trent Copeland (NSW) Peter George (SA) 12th man David Hussey (VIC) The Johnnie Walker ACA One-day Team of the Year in batting order is: Michael Klinger (SA) Phillip Jaques (NSW) Bradley Hodge (VIC) vice-captain George Bailey (TAS) Captain Lee Carseldine (QLD) Travis Birt (TAS) Matthew Wade (VIC) John Hastings (VIC) Xavier Doherty (TAS) Ben Cutting (QLD) Nathan Rimmington (QLD) 12th man Daniel Christian (SA) The Johnnie Walker ACA Interstate Twenty20 Team of the Year in batting order is: Shaun Marsh (WA) David Warner (NSW) Bradley Hodge (VIC) Captain Tim Paine (TAS) Kieron Pollard (SA) James Hopes (QLD) Chris Simpson (QLD) vice-captain Daniel Christian (SA) Aaron Heal (WA) John Hastings (VIC) Shaun Tait (SA) 12th man Brad Knowles (WA)
