Wes Durston becomes the first Derbyshire player to win a monthly FTI MVP
Award – 01/06/12

Wes Durston has become the first Derbyshire player to win a monthly FTI Most Valuable Player Award, after a series of outstanding performances.

The all-rounder was the top point scorer in the Professional Cricketers’ Association’s rankings system that compares players against their peers in the county game.

During May, Durston blasted a total of 536 runs, bagged 7 wickets and took 12 catches to hold off the challenge of Sussex’s Chris Nash and Gareth Batty of Surrey.

His achievement is all the more significant given players in Division Two of the LV= County Championship are deducted 20% of their points to take into account the higher standard in Division One.

It also follows the fact he was almost lost to the professional game in 2009, after his Somerset contract wasn’t renewed after eight seasons at Taunton.

Signing for the Unicorns, the ECB’s Recreational XI for the best un-contracted players, he smashed 117 from just 68 deliveries as his team chased down an improbable 325 to beat Sussex in a CB40 clash in May 2010.

Derbyshire then signed him to take part in their Twenty20 campaign, before he was handed a full-time contract – and he has never looked back.

In five championship games in May, Durston has hit 363 runs, including two centuries and a fifty, and taken five wickets. In three CB40 games he has hit a further 173 runs, including another century and taken two wickets.

He has also boosted his score by taking eight catches in the County Championship and picked up another four in the CB40.

Derbyshire Head Coach, Karl Krikken, said, “A lot of players have played well over the first two months of the season and it would be remiss of me to single out individuals.

“But for Wes to win the FTI MVP is the icing on the cake for the whole team. He has been in great form so far, chipping in with important runs, wickets and catches.

“The trick for both him and the team will be to sustain that form as there is a lot of cricket still to be played in all three competitions.”

Durston’s award caps a remarkable start to the season for Derbyshire, who currently sit top of Division Two of the County Championship, and he is not the only player from the Midlands county to feature highly among the game’s top performers.

New Zealand batsman Martin Guptill, who currently sits in fifth place overall in the rankings, was the fourth highest points scorer during May and is currently the number one performing batsmen in the country.

David Wainwright is the ninth best bowler, according to the statistics, and the 13^th best player overall, with Jonathan Clare (39^th), Tim Groenewald (43^rd) and Tony Palladino (46^th) all inside the top 50.

Kieron Smith, Senior Vice President, FTI Consulting, said,“I would like to congratulate Wes Durston on becoming the first Derbyshire cricketer to top the monthly FTI MVP rankings.

“His outstanding all round contribution has also helped lift Derbyshire to the top of the table. Cricket being a team game, I am sure this has given him as much satisfaction as his own performance.

“The way Wes has grasped his second chance in first class cricket is a lesson to all budding cricketers that hard work and determination bring rewards.”

Now in their sixth season, the FTI MVP rankings reward players for every run scored, every wicket taken and every catch held. There are also bonuses awarded to those whose runs and wickets contribute to a win for the team, with captains earning points for their command of the side.

Bowlers also receive higher marks for good economy rates, bowling maidens and for getting out batsmen higher up the order. There are also bonuses for five or more dismissals in an innings.

In addition, batting points are handed out for high run rates and the percentage of the team’s runs each batsman contributes. Fielding points are awarded for catches, run outs and stumpings.

For more information on the FTI MVP ranking system please visit www.thepca.co.uk. For more info on this release contact Robin Hutchison at Earlybird Media on 07968 124 132 or robin@earlybirdmedia.co.uk

About FTI Consulting

FTI Consulting, Inc. is a global business advisory firm dedicated to helping organisations protect and enhance enterprise value in an increasingly complex legal, regulatory and economic environment. With more than 3,800 employees located in 24 countries, FTI Consulting professionals work closely with clients to anticipate, illuminate and overcome complex business challenges in areas such as investigations, litigation, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory issues, reputation management, strategic communications and restructuring. The company generated $1.4 billion in revenues during fiscal year 2010. More information can be found at www.fticonsulting.com.