Adams leads RHFT MVP ahead of final group fixtures

Southern Vipers’ Georgia Adams is the current leader of the PCA’s Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy Most Valuable Player Rankings, making her the favourite to win the £1,000 cash prize going into the final group stage fixtures on Saturday.

Adams has statistically been the competition’s outstanding performer so far, scoring 86.89 MVP points at an average of 17.38 points-per-game.

It has been a dream campaign so far for the opening batter from both a personal and team perspective, as Adams has captained her side to a perfect five wins from five, earning her the same number of bonus MVP points.

The RHFT MVP leader’s form has helped her side to reach the final of the one-off RHFT, which will likely see the Vipers face off against Northern Diamonds at Edgbaston on Saturday 27 September.

On the day, Adams will be hoping to replicate the form which has seen her be named Player of the Match on two occasions.

The all-rounder earned 19.37 MVP points after scoring 89 against Sunrisers on 11 September, before she went one better in making a brilliant 154 not out against Western Storm two days later, securing 34.26 MVP points in the process.

Such performances have put Adams a healthy 12 MVP points clear of Lightning’s Kathryn Bryce in second place.

The Scot made the early running in the RHFT MVP after a memorable performance on 31 August saw her take 5-29 and score 71 not out in the same game, subsequently earning a competition-high 40.08 MVP points for a single fixture.

Sophie Luff, who is currently the competition’s second highest run-scorer after Adams, is in third place with 64 MVP points – she is one of two Western Storm players in the top five along with Fi Morris (57 MVP points), whilst Adams’ teammate Charlie Dean (61.5 points) is in fourth.

The Most Valuable Player Rankings were developed by the PCA in conjunction with the players to identify the match-winning performers in any given fixture. On top of traditional batting and bowling averages, bonus points are awarded for key disciplines such as scoring quickly, claiming top-order wickets and taking catches in the field.

The Rankings therefore give the most accurate reflection of the top performers in the game.

At the conclusion of the 2020 season, two MVPs will be awarded in women’s cricket: one T20I MVP for England Women and one RHFT MVP, with the latter claiming a £1,000 cash prize – the first of its kind to be awarded in female domestic cricket.

With Southern Vipers odds on to face Northern Diamonds in the final, it is likely that Adams or one of her teammates will win the prize, given that the Vipers have three players currently inside the top 10. Diamonds’ highest ranked player, World Cup winner Beth Langston, is in 14th place with 43 points.

However, with one round of group fixtures still to go, the opportunity presents itself for the likes of Bryce, Luff and Morris to excel and make a lasting impression on the RHFT MVP.

View the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy MVP Rankings.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest MVP news by following the @pcaMVP on Twitter.