Durham county cricketer Scott Borthwick was today named in the shortlist of six players nominated for the LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player Award.
Launched by County Championship title sponsors, LV=, the award is now in its second year after Yorkshire CCC opening batsman Joe Root claimed the inaugural title in 2012.
Intended to recognise the most promising young player in cricket’s County Championship, the award is testament to the next generation of future England Test cricketers playing in the domestic competition; as Root has gone on to prove.
Borthwick’s competition for the award comes from Leicestershire batsman Shiv Thakor, Yorkshire’s Gary Ballance, Surrey’s Rory Burns, Sussex batsman Luke Wells and Northamptonshire bowler David Willey.
An esteemed four man panel put together the shortlist of six nominees for the award, based on their performances in the LV= County Championship so far this season as well the last month of last season.
The panel comprises of former England captain and current Managing Director or Partnerships at the ECB Mike Gatting, PCA Chairman Mark Wallace, cricket writer John Stern and former England cricketer Alec Stewart.
Commenting on the award, LV= Head of Sponsorship, Claire Jeromson said: “Following the success of Joe Root last season, this award proves the importance of recognising the outstanding young talent playing in the LV= County Championship. The competition continues to unearth potential Test stars and by championing these players we are ensuring they are given the opportunity to break through.”
To vote for your LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player and be in with a chance of winning a signed England bat, visit www.LV.com/cricket before voting closes on September 14th 2013. The winner will be announced the following week. The winner will be based on the highest number of public votes and as part of the prize, LV= will make a £1,000 donation to a grassroots cricket initiative of the winners choosing.