The Professional Cricketers’ Association have confirmed the full shortlist for the NatWest PCA Players’ Player of the Year with Kent’s Joe Denly and Matt Henry nominated alongside Surrey pair Rory Burns and Rikki Clarke.
The highest individual accolade in English cricket, the award is voted for by fellow professional cricketers with the winner of the NatWest PCA Players’ Player of the Year receiving the Reg Hayter Cup at the ceremony which takes place at the Roundhouse, Camden next Thursday October 4.
Kent all-rounder Joe Denly has had the season of his life and has been nominated by his peers for a summer of sensational performances with bat and ball.
The 32-year-old looks set to top the PCA’s Most Valuable Player Rankings to underline his brilliance in 2018 which has seen a call-up to the England Test squad for the tour of Sri Lanka.
Denly was the Spitfires highest run-scorer in the Vitality Blast, guiding his side to the final of the Royal London One-Day Cup by averaging 70 and has scored over 800 runs at an average of over 36 to propel Kent to promotion in the County Championship.
2018 will be the year Denly discovered his potential as a genuine all-rounder with the leg-spinner taking 20 wickets in the Blast, 14 dismissals in the 50-over competition and over 20 scalps in red-ball cricket.
New Zealand fast bowler and teammate of Denly, Henry has also been honoured by first-class cricketers in England and Wales.
The 26-year-old has enjoyed two stints with the Spitfires in 2018 and has taken a staggering 75 first-class wickets, more than anyone in the country. Made even more impressive by only featuring in 11 games, taking his scalps at an average of under 15 to play a huge role in ensuring promotion.
The Kiwi has taken five five-wicket hauls, including a career best 7-45 and has dismissed 10 batsmen in one match on three separate occasions.
The seam-bowler also transferred his Championship form to the One-Day Cup, adding another 16 victims in a destructive summer.
The 49th NatWest PCA Awards will take place at the Roundhouse in Camden on October 4. The event is organised by the PCA, in association with the England and Wales Cricket Board with the Awards reflecting the domestic and international season with all proceeds from the night going to the PCA Benevolent Fund.