Patel scoops FTI MVP prize

Samit Patel is the FTI MVP for July and now lies second in the overall standings behind prolific Somerset opener Marcus Trescothick

England and Nottinghamshire all-rounder Samit Patel has won the monthly FTI MVP award for July after consistent performances in all three domestic competitions over the course of the month earned him a total of 176.23 points.

The 26-year-old took 23 wickets throughout July, including 4-37 against Glamorgan in the Clydesdale Bank 40, and 11 wickets in an LV= County Championship match against Hampshire.

Patel’s highest score with the bat came in a Friends Life t20 fixture against Derbyshire when he blasted 70 from just 43 balls to help his side to a quarter-final spot in the competition.

Patel’s consistency during July was rewarded by England selectors with a call up to the England Lions squad for the four-day match against Sri Lanka A.

Other players vying for the top spot included Sussex’s Chris Nash, who was also selected for England Lions, and Yorkshire’s Richard Pyrah. Essex’s Ravi Bopara ended the month as the fourth-ranked player, with Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens finishing fifth.

Marcus Trescothick continues to lead the way at the top of the overall standings, with Patel 63 points behind in second place.

Patel said: “I’m really happy to be putting in some match-winning performances at the ‘business end’ of the season. It looks really tight at the top of the FTI MVP table and I recognise it will be quite an effort to catch Marcus, but I’ll be trying my best.”

Sebastian Mathews, vice president in the strategic communications business practice of FTI Consulting said: “Samit has been in excellent form in recent weeks, not only picking up the July FTI MVP award but also moving up to second place in the overall FTI MVP rankings.

“While Marcus Trescothick maintains a healthy lead at the top of the rankings, Samit now leads the chasing pack and it will be fascinating to see how the battle for the title unfolds in the coming weeks. For now, we congratulate Samit on both his FTI MVP success and also his recent call up to the England Lions squad.”

For a full roundup of all FTI MVP action throughout July visit www.thepca.co.uk/assets/files/videos/FTI-MVP-2011-July-Roundup-Cut-2.wmv

A monthly FTI MVP award is announced throughout the summer for the leading points scorer across the LV= County Championship, Friends Life t20 and Clydesdale Bank 40 for that month. April’s award was won by 22-year-old Warwickshire and England all-rounder Chris Woakes, with Trescothick winning consecutive awards in May and June.

FTI MVP awards are also presented to the leading domestic player at the end of each county season and the leading England player at the end of the domestic international season and again following the winter tour period.

Originally conceived by the PCA, the FTI MVP Rankings (powered by Press Association Sport) are a cumulative points system that rewards players for every run scored, every wicket taken and every catch held – and how well they do it.

For more information on the current standings for the FTI MVP Rankings check www.thepca.co.uk/mvp-11.html