ROLAND-JONES SNATCHES MVP AWARD FOR AUGUST ON FINAL DAY

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  03 September 2012

  Middlesex paceman Toby Roland-Jones has capped an impressive month by winning the award for the top performer in the FTI Most Valuable Player rankings.

  The 24-year-old, who is the second highest wicket-taker in the County Championship, bagged 32 wickets to see off Warwickshire’s Chris Wright on the very last day of August.

  Despite a low-key start in which he scored 17 runs and returned 0/89 against the Bears, he went on to menace the batsmen of each county he played.

  After capturing three wickets against Worcestershire in the CB40, he produced match figures of 6/90 against Sussex, and then 8/77 against local rivals Surrey in LVCC Division One.

  He then took 5/118 in the return fixture against Warwickshire before producing the first ten wicket haul of his career against Worcestershire at New Road.

  Roland-Jones trailed Wright until bagging 5/46, including three of the top order, in the second innings of that match.

  His contribution set up a run chase that helped his side do the double over Worcestershire and earn their fourth Championship win of the campaign.

  Roland-Jones has claimed 59 Championship wickets so far - the same number as team-mate Tim Murtagh and three behind the current leader Graham Onions of Durham. But he is the top wicket-taker – with 82 scalps – in all forms of cricket.

  He said: “It’s been a great month for me and the team I’m delighted to receive the award. I had no idea I was in the running for it – but I must be doing something right!

  “It’s great to be recognised among your contemporaries and I just hope I can keep up the momentum in the last few weeks of the season.

  “It would be brilliant to finish the season as the leading wicket-taker in the Championship – and in doing so beat Tim to the honour too!”

  PCA Assistant Chief Executive Jason Ratcliffe said: “To take as many wickets as Toby did is quite an achievement, but when you consider many of them were against the top five then the value of his performance takes on an added significance

  Roland-Jones is now third overall in the season-long FTI MVP rankings behind Darren Stevens of Kent and leader Peter Trego of Somerset. He is top of the bowling rankings having over-taken Durham’s Graham Onions and fifth in the LVCC-specific ones.

  Kieron Smith, Senior Vice President, FTI Consulting said: ““Toby Roland-Jones is having the best season of his career and has had an outstanding month with 32 wickets, including his maiden ten wicket haul in the recent match against Worcestershire.”

  The FTI MVP rankings, which are run by the PCA, reward players for every run scored, every wicket taken and every catch held. There are also bonuses awarded to those whose runs and wickets contribute to a win for the team, with captains earning points for their command of the side.

  Bowlers receive higher marks for among other things good economy rates, bowling maidens and for dismissing batsmen higher up the order. There are also bonuses for five or more dismissals in an innings.

  In addition, batting points are handed out for high run rates and the percentage of the team’s runs each batsman contributes. Fielding points are awarded for catches, run outs and stumpings.

  AUGUST’S TOP FIVE FTI MVP PERFORMERS

  PLAYER	COUNTY	SCORE
  Toby Roland Jones	Middlesex	167.49
  Chris Wright	Warwickshire	163.13
  Peter Trego	Somerset	144
  Darren Stevens	Kent	126.16
  Mark Stoneman	Durham	116.55

   

  Roland-Jones’ August Performances

  Date	Competition	Opponents	Runs	wickets	catches	Run Outs	MVP Points
  01/08/12	LVCC	Warks	17	0/89	0	0	2.21
  05/08/12	CB40	Worcs	0	3/39	0	0	11.51
  10/08/12	LVCC	Sussex	29	6/90	0	0	29.28
  15/08/12	LVCC	Surrey	34	8/77	0	0	50.84
  21/08/12	LVCC	Warks	12	5/118	0	0	20.15
  28/08/12	LVCC	Worcs	6	10/118	1	0	53.50
  Totals			98	32	1	0	167.49

   

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