Outstanding Flintoff Scoops NatWest PCA Player Of The Year Award — 26/09/2005
At tonight’s star-studded NatWest PCA Awards Dinner 2005, in association with the ECB, the Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), the representative body of past and present first class cricketers in England & Wales, presented the hero of England’s Ashes summer, Andrew Flintoff, with the prestigious NatWest PCA Player of the Year Award.
Voted For By The Players
It is the second year running that the award, special because it is voted for by the players, has been handed to Andrew Flintoff. Flintoff averaged 40 with the bat during England’s victorious Ashes campaign, making a magnificent century (102) at Trent Bridge in the process. He was also England’s leading wicket-taker with 24 victims, including 5-78 in the final npower Test at the Brit Oval.
Cook Success
The evening’s next most important award, for NatWest PCA Young Player of the Year, went to 20-year old Essex and England Academy player, Alastair Cook. With previous winners having included Matthew Hoggard and Ian Bell, the honour is often seen as an indicator of future England selection.
Cook made his first 1000 run season in first-class cricket this summer, scoring three centuries on the way. He also made a superb double century (214) against Australia in a tour match at Chelmsford.
What A Crowd!
The event, hosted by TV presenter, Nick Hancock, saw awards presented in front of a packed and enthusiastic audience at the Royal Albert Hall. Those attending included over 400 current and former professional cricketers, players from the Ashes winning England team and a host of VIPs.
Other Awards
Other awards presented at the NatWest PCA Awards Dinner included:
Greatest England Cricketer of the last 25 years, sponsored by NatWest Ian Botham
ECB Special Award 2005
David Shepherd
Slazenger Sheer Instinct Award
Paul Collingwood
MCC Spirit of Cricket Award 2005
Somerset
PCA Special Merit Award 2005 Sponsored by Brit Insurance
Graham Thorpe
PCA Umpire of the year sponsored by Accenture
Ian Gould
Sky Sports Sixes League
Ian Blackwell
Photography of the event is available from andrew.baud@banc.co.uk and Getty Images.
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