worcestershire have three players in the top 20 of the latest professional cricketers’ association most valuable player rankings for the specsavers county championship at the completion of the first block of matches in the 2018 competition.
ed barnard’s excellent start with bat and ball is reflected by his seventh position with a total of 112.85 points at an average of 22.57.
not far behind is worcestershire skipper joe leach in 11th position after another wicket-laced start to the season and he has accumulated 105.82 points at 21.16.
josh tongue’s career best match figures of 9-98 versus essex at New Road have propelled him into 17th position with 94.63 points at 18.93.
joe clarke in 43rd position – 74.60 points at 14.92 – is the other worcestershire player currently inside the top 50.
former worcestershire paceman matt henry is holding the number one position after a fine start to his debut season with kent.
the new zealander, who spent a successful first half of the 2016 campaign with the county, is well clear with 173.96 points at 43.49.
the pca mvp rankings system identifies the match-winners and key influencers of matches throughout the domestic season.
the formula takes into account conditions, quality of opposition, captaincy and strike-rates as well as runs scored and wickets taken.