Mushtaq Ahmed Wins PCA Player Of The Year 2003 – 22/09/2003 The PCA Players Awards Dinner 2003, in association with the ECB and sponsored by NatWest took place on 22nd September, 2003 at the Hilton Hotel, Park Lane, London. Star-studded This prestigious event, which included the coveted PCA Player of the Year and PCA Young Player of the Year, voted for by the players themselves, was attended by stars from both the cricketing and sporting world, and a number of other celebrities and PCA business partners. PCA Player Of The Year The Winner of the Reg Hayter Cup, and the PCA Player of the Year 2003, sponsored by NatWest was Mushtaq Ahmed of Sussex. Mushtaq was a pivotal player in Sussex’ title winning Frizzell County Champioship Division One campaign, taking 103 wickets including 10 five wicket hauls and 5 ten wicket hauls. PCA Young Player Of The Year The Winner of the John Arlott Cup, and PCA Young Player of the Year 2003, sponsored by CostCutter, was Kabir Ali of Worcestershire. Kabir had another excellent season for Worcestershire taking 54 wickets in Championship cricket as his county won the Frizzell County Championship Division Two title. Kabir also forced his way into both the England Test and one-day sides. Alec Stewart Alec Stewart was presented with an ECB Special Merit Award 2003 to kick off the awards ceremony. It was shortly after lunch on Monday September 8th that one of the games most distinguished careers finally came to a close. As England won the npower Oval Test and Alec Stewart OBE, MBE, England’s most capped cricketer of all time, walked off into retirement. Alec received an ECB Special Merit Award from Mike Soper – Deputy Chairman of the ECB. Awards Other award winners included; Slazenger Sheer Instinct Award 2003 Ed Smith For an outstanding summer and in particular a run of form in July which saw him score six centuries in seven innings including a double hundred in a day against Lancashire, the Slazenger Sheer Instinct Award 2003 was won by Ed Smith, and presented by the Chairman of Slazenger – Robert Brooke. MCC Spirit of Cricket Award Glamorgan PCA In The Community Award 2003, Sponsored By Power Cricket NatWest Cricket with the Princes Trust The PCA are supporting the NatWest Cricket Initiative with the Princes Trust. Fifteen 12 week volunteer programmes will be completed over the next nine months. Using cricket as a hook, the scheme is designed to attract young disadvantaged people to kick start their lives by generating self belief and esteem. The effect of this scheme should see, among other benefits, increased employment prospects and a more positive outlook on life. npower Special Merit Award for 2003 Stuart Robertson for his work on Twenty20 Cricket with the ECB Umpire Of The Year 2003 Sponsored By Slazenger Neil Mallender. This award is voted for by the players and Neil wins for the third year running. PCA Groundsman Of The Year 2003, Sponsored By Mitsubishi Motors Mick Hunt (Lord’s) The PCA also presented an award to Hill House Hammond to recognize their continued support of Zone6 City Cricket and the PCA Masters.
