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Craig named Bob Willis Trophy MVP

Craig Overton has been named as the PCA MVP for the Bob Willis Trophy this weekend.

Craig has been the lynchpin of Somerset’s bowling attack throughout the one-off Bob Willis Trophy, earning 202.5 MVP points at an average of 33.76 points-per-game on the back of his 30 wickets in the tournament.

The MVP algorithm has recognised Overton’s all-round contribution as he has chipped in with 40.4 MVP points with the bat, his 248 runs in the competition coming at an impressive average of 31 for the genuine all-rounder.

The PCA August Player of the Month for 2020 has also earned seven MVP points in the field, his contributions in all facets in the game coming together to nudge him ahead of rival Simon Harmer to win the race for the £2,500 cash prize on Sunday afternoon and be named the best First Class performer in English domestic cricket this season.

Overton and Harmer have been head and shoulders above the rest in the format-specific Bob Willis Trophy MVP this season, the lead changing hands three times during the five-day final alone.

However, it was Overton who had the last laugh from an individual perspective after one of the closest MVP races in recent years, moving ahead of Harmer on the final day despite his side conceding the trophy to Harmer’s Essex by virtue of their first innings lead in the drawn fixture.

The Essex off-spinner finishes in second place in the BWT MVP with 195.7 MVP points, with the evergreen Darren Stevens finishing third with 166.86 points.