Henry opens up impressive MVP lead

With the Specsavers County Championship now having a four-week break to step-aside for the Royal London One-Day Cup, Kent bowler Matt Henry has opened up a healthy lead at the top of the PCA Most Valuable Player Rankings.

The New-Zealand born seamer ripped through Sussex’s batting line-up finishing with 10 wickets taking his County Championship tally to a staggering 37 wickets.

Henry’s performance saw him end with 57.28 MVP points, his MVP total now sitting at 173.96, almost 40 points ahead of second place James Harris.

Meanwhile, in Division One, Surrey’s youngsters Ollie Pope, Sam Curran and Amir Virdi all produced special performances as they defeated a Yorkshire side including England captain Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Cheteshwar Pujara by an innings and 17 runs.

Curran finished as the top points scorer for Surrey with 44.55 MVP points – his maiden 10 wicket match haul proved devastating for an experienced Yorkshire batting line-up.

Lancashire recorded their first victory of the season as they defeated current Division One leaders Nottinghamshire by an innings and 67 runs.

Graham Onions demonstrating his quality taking nine wickets in the match to finish with 48.36 MVP points.

Keaton Jennings also issued a timely reminder to England selectors, recording back to back hundreds against Somerset and now Nottinghamshire.

Another England batsman hoping to remind selectors what he’s capable of is Hampshire’s James Vince.

With his side struggling against Somerset, Vince registered a stunning unbeaten double-hundred to save the match at Taunton and finish with 49.38 points.

Australian seamer Peter Siddle ended his short stint in the County Championship with Essex on a high with a narrow victory over Worcestershire.

Although adamant he will return for Essex, Siddle ended his current stint with last season’s Champions as PCA MVP Man of the Match with 43.63 MVP points.

The MVP formula was designed by the players to identify the match-winners and key influencers of matches throughout the domestic and international season.

An innovation which provides a more rigorous analysis of player performances than traditional batting and bowling averages.

Gloucestershire’s James Bracey showcased his talent once again during his rookie season, producing another defiant knock to earn his side a draw against Middlesex. Bracey hit his second unbeaten century of the campaign to scored 31.49 MVP points.

Leicestershire earned their first win of the 2018 season in a dramatic 3 run victory over Glamorgan.

Despite their maiden victory it was Glamorgan’s Marchant de Lange who was named PCA MVP Man of the Match for his desperate efforts during their fourth innings.

Having already taken six wickets in the match, de Lange hit 90 in Glamorgan’s chase to achieve 41.20 points and continue his impressive start to the season.

At the 3aaa County Ground, Stuart Poynter was named PCA MVP Man of the Match in Durham’s draw with Derbyshire. On a high-scoring wicket a result never looked likely with both sides earning maximum batting points. Poynter’s innings was the highlight of the encounter as he scored a classy 170 in Durham’s only innings, resulting in 45.27 Points.

To view the overall MVP standings click here.