ACA launches Sheffield Shield and WNCL Captain's MVP

25 October, 2017
The ACA has today announced the introduction of the inaugural Captain's MVP award for the Sheffield Shield and WNCL competitions.

Both Captains will independently vote 5-4-3-2-1 on their most valuable players for their respective games, culminating in a Sheffield Shield and WNCL Captain's MVP at the end of the summer.

Speaking yesterday, Victorian Sheffield Shield Captain Peter Handscomb was thrilled with the initiative.

"The Sheffield Shield is the strongest domestic competition in the world, so to be able to highlight some really key performances from week-to-week and over the season is a fantastic opportunity for players,” Handscomb said.

"Hopefully the Captain's MVP award encourages players to put their name up in lights and push for higher honours.

"I have played a couple of years of County Cricket now, which is great, but coming back to a six-team competition where everyone is fighting to get to that next level, makes for a really tough environment."

South Australian WNCL Captain Tegan McPharlin also praised the introduction of the WNCL Captain’s MVP.

"WNCL is crucial in the women's game and provides players with time to showcase their talents," McPharlin said.

"It's an important pillar to developing skilful and resilient future Australian players.

"The WNCL Captain's MVP is a great initiative and adds a little bit of extra motivation for players to continue to raise the standards and profile of women's domestic cricket.

"It adds a little bonus of bragging rights to the winner come season’s end."

McPharlin highlighted some of the performances from Round 1 of the WNCL season, before Round 2 commences on November 25, across the country.

"In the run-fest between South Australia and Western Australia, Nicole Bolton and Elyse Villani were in great touch, and showed why they are world-class players.”

"It was amazing to watch Amanda Wellington stand tall to bring up her maiden ton,” McPharlin said.

Captains will vote on both teams in their respective games, leaving a maximum of ten votes for players to receive in each fixture.

The Sheffield Shield begins tomorrow across the country, with Queensland hosting Victoria, Western Australia hosting Tasmania and South Australia hosting New South Wales.

For a video package with some of Australian crickets' biggest names previewing one of the most anticipated Sheffield Shield seasons in recent memory, click here.

© Australian Cricket Players Limited
Photos courtesy of Getty Images
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