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Jonny Bairstow tops the PCA MVP Rankings to claim trophy.
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Jonny Bairstow has won the 2023 Vitality IT20 Men’s Player of the Summer courtesy of finishing the campaign as the number one player, statistically.
The England opener had a brilliant Vitality IT20 series against New Zealand, scoring 175 runs which included two fifties. Bairstow was presented with his trophy at the conclusion of the fourth match of the series at Trent Bridge.
Scoring 175 runs with a brilliant average of 58.3 and a strike-rate of 147, Bairstow is the worthy winner of the award securing 67 points on the MVP Rankings.
The 33-year-old claimed the Match MVP award in the second Vitality IT20 against New Zealand for a scintillating innings off 86 not out off 60 balls including eight fours and four sixes, giving him 33 MVP points as England posted 198-4 and won by a massive 95 runs.
In the fourth game of the series, the Yorkshireman once again produced a Match MVP display with a brilliant knock 73 off 41 balls as England tied the series 2-2.
On receiving the award, Bairstow said: “It’s great to win the award as it’s been a bit of while since I’ve played a lot of white-ball cricket, it’s about getting back into the rhythm of it.
“It’s taken time to get into it but I’m pleased to come back in and contribute in the way that I have but we wanted to win the series.
“I like batting in the powerplay, it’s important because you can catch up with a couple of shots and running hard.
“The ankle has been pretty good I haven’t had too many setbacks with it which is pleasing.”
The Vitality IT20 Men’s Player of the Summer was selected by the PCA Most Valuable Player Rankings, sponsored by Argentex. The formula takes into account expected performance on every ball according to CricViz’s extensive database. The algorithm also considers the historic performances of the venue each fixture is being played at, therefore giving a more accurate reflection of the top performers in the game than traditional batting and bowling averages do.
Harry Brook came second in the table, finishing 19 points behind Jonny Bairstow on 48 MVP points thanks to scoring 122 runs at an average of 40.6 with a strike-rate of 154.4.
Brook picked up the Match MVP award in the first game of the series against New Zealand scoring an unbeaten 43 off 27 alongside taking a catch to earn 21 MVP points as England won by seven wickets.
The 24-year-old also produced a phenomenal innings of 67 off 36 balls with five fours and five sixes in the second Vitality IT20.
Despite missing the final game of the series, England white-ball skipper Jos Buttler finished third in the table with 34 MVP points.
Buttler won the Match MVP in the third Vitality IT20 against New Zealand, securing 25 MVP points for his innings of 40 off 21 balls alongside taking a catch and a stumping with the gloves.
On the Overall Men’s International MVP Rankings, Bairstow has propelled himself into first position on 161 MVP points. The 2023 LV= Insurance Men’s Test Player of the Summer Joe Root sits second, with Zak Crawley in third.
