Trescothick is 2011 FTI MVP

Former England opener Marcus Trescothick has held off stiff competition to win the FTI Most Valuable Player award following a string of impressive performances.

The Somerset captain is the first player to take the award twice after also winning the title in 2009.

Trescothick, 35, has hit 2,518 runs in all competitions this season - in excess of 500 more than his nearest competitor. He has also held 38 catches and led his side to a fifth straight domestic final.

His capture of the coveted title is all the more impressive given that an ankle injury forced him to miss most of the final month of the season.

Somerset captain and former England opener Marcus Trescothick has won the FTI Most Valuable Player award for the second time in three years

Trescothick is delighted to be recognised as the outstanding performer among his contemporaries by the Professional Cricketers' Association.

"It's very pleasing to win the FTI MVP because it takes an awful lot of hard work over the course of a season to keep scoring consistently,” he said.

"As all the other good players up there with me have shown, it is mental application that gives you that consistency week in, week out.

"But it's also about having the passion and the drive. There are times, particularly as a captain, when you get very tired, but you've just got to keep going."

"It's always nice to win an award, but it's especially nice to win one when you are judged against the other players in the game.

"And it's always nice to have the bragging rights over the lads in the Somerset changing room."

The FTI MVP, run by the Professional Cricketers' Association, is used as a statistical benchmark within cricket to examine each aspect of a player's game in relation to his peers.

Trescothick's consistent performances mean he is also one of four stars nominated for the PCA's Natwest Player of the Year award, which will be announced on Thursday.

Trescothick's award comes courtesy of 2,518 runs and 38 catches in all cricket this season. He steered Somerset to two domestic finals

Sebastian Mathews, vice-president in the strategic communications practice of FTI Consulting, said: "Marcus has had a great season as captain and player for Somerset this year, culminating in him winning the FTI MVP.

"His contributions across all formats of the game have ensured that he has beaten off the stiff competition that was closing in towards the end of the season.

"The great thing about the FTI MVPs is that they reward all contributions as well as consistency and Marcus' consistent runs in the long and short forms - an amazing total of 2,518, his catches and successful captaincy - have combined for him to rise to the top this year."

The FTI MVP system, which is now in its fifth year, rewards players for every run scored, every wicket taken and every catch held.

There are also bonuses awarded to players whose runs and wickets contribute to a win for the team, with captains earning points for their command of the side.

In addition, batting points are handed out for high run-rates and the percentage of the team's runs each batsman contributes.

Fielding points are awarded for catches, run-outs and stumpings, with bonuses for five or more dismissals in an innings.

Bowlers receive higher marks for among other things good economy rates, bowling maidens and for getting out top-order batsmen.