Stevens returns to top of MVP rankings

Darren Stevens leapt to the top of the PCA’s Most Valuable Player Rankings this week after recording his fourth five-wicket return of the season against his former side Leicestershire at Grace Road. Stevens played 81 first-class matches for Leicestershire between 1997 and 2004 but was only used sporadically as a bowler taking six wickets at an average of 68.83. For Kent he has taken 230 wickets at an average of 28.48 and this season his bowling has been his stronger suit having taken 46 wickets across both forms, 34 in the LV County Championship (LV=CC). He has scored 806 runs, 553 in the LV=CC (where he is ranked fourth) and 253 in the Natwest t20 Blast (ranked third). Stevens is the third-highest points-scorer since the Rankings began back in 2007 behind Samit Patel and Peter Trego (http://www.thepca.co.uk/newtotalmvp5year.html) and his top-ranking this year is even more remarkable given he loses 20% of his LV=CC points for playing in division two. None of the seven previous winners of the overall FTI MVP (listed below the current table) have come from the lower division. This year the prize money for topping the Rankings has been increased to £10,000. For a full breakdown of Darren’s MVP career please see: http://www.thepca.co.uk/player-rankings.html?nid=1851 and click through to see each season/competition.

OVERALL COUNTY FTI MVP

	County	Batting	Bowling	Fielding	Captain	Wins	Played	Points	Average
Stevens	Kent	142.65	206.78	13	0	6	20	369	18.43
Smith	Lancs	157.84	186.30	10	0	9	20	363	18.16
Patel	Notts	205.72	122.14	14	0	10	20	352	17.59
Allenby	Glam	208.86	111.65	12	4	6	20	343	17.15
Patel	Warks	68.11	221.11	11	0	8	19	308	16.22

Previous winners Points

2013 Moeen Ali 600

2012 Peter Trego 501

2011 Marcus Trescothick 597

2010 Neil Carter 643

2009 Marcus Trescothick 632

2008 Martin Van Jaarsveld 553

2007 Ottis Gibson 736