PCA PRESS RELEASE
Off-spinner claims award following string of exceptional performances.
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Nottinghamshire’s Ravi Ashwin has been voted the PCA Player of the Month for July 2019 on the back of his outstanding form in the County Championship.
The Indian international received a massive 61% of the supporters’ vote, well clear of Middlesex’s Dawid Malan (19.7%) in second, Yorkshire’s Keshav Maharaj (11%) in third and Malan’s teammate Toby Roland-Jones (8.4%) in fourth.
Ashwin has brought all of his international experience with him to Trent Bridge this month, and that has been reflected in the quality of his play during his brief stint in Nottingham.
The four-man shortlist for the July award was selected via the PCA Most Valuable Player Rankings and, thanks to his showings in the Championship alone, Ashwin was top of the pile. Fans who voted via the PCA and Sky Sports websites agreed, making Ashwin the fourth player to pick up the award in the 2019 season.
“I am delighted to receive this award,” reflected Ashwin.
“I love playing county cricket and really enjoy being a part of the Nottinghamshire dressing room.”
Ashwin was signed by the Trent Bridge-based outfit as their overseas player, covering the absence of James Pattinson, who has been called up to Australia’s Ashes squad. The off-spinner joined on a red-ball contract, allowing him to return to his native India for the duration of the Blast.
“I look forward to returning in September and playing the remainder of the season for Nottinghamshire,” Ashwin added.
Ashwin’s performance against Surrey in the fixture beginning 13 July was undoubtedly the highlight of an excellent month for the player.
In that game, he claimed match figures of 12-144 whilst making 31% of his side’s runs at a strike rate of 61 with the bat. Ashwin duly accrued 81.53 MVP points for his efforts, easily the most of any player in a single game this season – Warwickshire’s Jeetan Patel is a distant second with 60.98.
“Bowling against Surrey was a particular highlight for me.
Deflecting attention away from his own achievements, the ever humble Ashwin added that “it was also a real joy to see a young player from the opposition bowl so well,” referring to Amar Virdi’s 14-wicket haul in the same game.
Although his side has struggled to find consistency in the Championship this season, Ashwin himself has had no such issues. His MVP award against Surrey was the second of a highly successful week.
Away at Somerset six days earlier, Ashwin had already claimed match figures of 8-152 and made 64 runs, helping him to accumulate a further 52.01 MVP points.
“I am delighted to receive this award. I love playing county cricket and really enjoy being a part of the Nottinghamshire dressing room.”
RAVI ASHWIN
The MVP formula was designed by the PCA in conjunction with the players to identify the match-winning performers and key influencers in any given game. The algorithm recognises the importance of the genuine all-rounder.
Points are awarded, for instance, for scoring a high proportion of your team’s runs, claiming top order wickets and taking catches in the field, amongst other important disciplines.
Ashwin’s 23 wickets at 19.91 and 197 runs at 39.4 in July demonstrate his outstanding all-round contribution. He is a deserved winner of the July PCA Player of the Month award.
To view the Overall MVP Rankings click here.
