Derbyshire batsman Wayne Madsen has been voted the Professional Cricketers’ Association Player of the Month for July.
Madsen secured his place at the top of the shortlist of four having earned more points – 158 – than anyone else in the country and he came out top in fans’ poll which had just short of 3,500 votes on the PCA and Sky Sports websites.
But it was a was a close run thing as Madsen edged out Kent batsman Joe Denly by just 10 votes to become the fourth monthly winner of the new PCA award after Gloucestershire’s Liam Norwell (April), Surrey’s Kumar Sangakkara (May) and Simon Harmer of Essex (June).
Yorkshire’s David Willey and Nottinghamshire’s Alex Hales also attracted strong support in the online poll having been shortlisted after finishing in the top four PCA MVP points-earners during July.
Madsen’s award is reward for his consistency with bat and ball in the NatWest T20 Blast throughout July.
“It’s a huge honour to be recognised by the PCA and a huge thanks to the supporters and fans who voted for me,” Madsen said upon receiving the award. “It’s been a great month on the field for me and the team. We’ve performed really well in the NatWest T20 Blast and we’ve put ourselves in a good position to qualify for the quarter finals.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly with the bat but also with the new role with the ball. I haven’t done much bowling in the past but this month I’ve relished bowling in the power plays which has been exciting for me and I’ve enjoyed a little bit of success with it.
“I think I have to give credit to coaching staff and rest of players with way we’ve gone about our cricket in the NatWest T20 Blast this year. Huge credit to the squad and coaches, confidence we’ve been playing with as a team has helped me and it’s been a pleasure to work with everyone during everyone and especially during this competition.”
DerbyshireTV spoke to Wayne Madsen after being named @PCA Player of the Month for July.
? Full interview: https://t.co/1BzkkpFy5r#P2bD pic.twitter.com/tEJOrCi8ye
— Derbyshire CCC (@DerbyshireCCC) August 3, 2017
The 33-year-old has topped 40 in eight of his innings in the competition so far including a top score of 86 not out n the high-scoring game at Trent Bridge.
Under new Specialist Twenty20 Coach, John Wright, Derbyshire have also made clever use of Madsen’s off-spin bowling which is rarely used in championship cricket.
Derbyshire have often opened the bowling with Madsen totake the pace off the ball in the Power Play overs. Madsen has responded with a series of miserly spells, with an economy rate of below 6.5 in half of Derbyshire’s eight matches.
As well as helping put Derbyshire in contention for a place in the NatWest T20 Blast quarter-finals, Madsen is supporting the PCA Benevolent Fund as one of his three chosen charities during his Testimonial this year. His busy programme of events includes a Lord’s Long Room Dinner on October 10 and he explains his admiration of the Benevolent Fund.
“It’s a huge honour to support the PCA Benevolent Fund, it’s a fantastic cause and do a great job for past and present players, I really do encourage people to support the PCA in their 50th year anniversary.”
Click HERE to view the PCA MVP Rankings.
NatWest T20 Blast is back this July and August. Save £4 by purchasing your matchday tickets in advance. While further discounts are available for groups of 10 or more. Buy online today to secure your place and save.
