Stevens wins monthly FTI MVP

Kent all-rounder Darren Stevens has won the monthly FTI MVP award for August after consistent performances in domestic cricket with bat and ball over the course of the month, earning a total of 143.67 points.

The 35-year-old took 19 wickets throughout August in the LV= County Championship, including 11-70 against Surrey to help Kent to a comprehensive victory. He also scored 174 runs in the competition, including 67 against Leicestershire.

Stevens’ highest score with the bat came in a Clydesdale Bank 40 fixture against Netherlands, scoring 70 from 67 balls.

Darren Stevens has been awarded the FTI MVP for August and he will bid to usurp overall leader Marcus Trescothick in the coming weeks

His form with the bat continued two days later when he recorded another half-century in the competition - this time against Middlesex, reaching 65 from 54 balls to help Kent secure a narrow victory.

With less than three weeks to go in the domestic season the race to be crowned the overall FTI MVP domestic winner is reaching its climax

Marcus Trescothick is currently in top spot with a lead of 90 points, although his current injury is allowing the chasing pack of Samit Patel, Gareth Andrew, Stevens and Chris Nash to make up some ground.

Stevens said: “It’s been a steady month for me, especially with the ball. Eleven 'poles' against Surrey was obviously a highlight, including a career best 7-21. A final push now may just let me edge out Marcus Trescothick.”

Sebastian Mathews, vice-president in the strategic communications practice of FTI Consulting, said: “Darren has had a great month in picking up the August FTI MVP award and also moving into fourth place in the overall FTI MVP rankings.

"We are set for an exciting finish to this season’s FTI MVPs where it looks like we have a group of experienced Englishmen fighting it out in September to take the summer award.

"Having looked like Marcus Trescothick might run away with it, his injury has seen others, similarly with experience, shine through over the season from Samit Patel, Gareth Andrew, Chris Nash and of course, Darren.

"The young bucks may have taken the early awards in the season, but it’s looking like experience really counts over the longer term, across all formats.”

For a full round-up of all FTI MVP action throughout August click here.

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 and Patel receiving the honour in July.

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 PA 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 click here.