Lyth scoops double honour

LV = County Championship Division One.
Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire.
Yorkshire's Adam Lyth celebrates after winning the championship.
12th September 2014. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe. — LV = County Championship Division One. Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire. Yorkshire's Adam Lyth celebrates after winning the championship. 12th September 2014. Picture Jonathan Gawthorpe.

The Whitby-born Yorkshire opener collected the Professional Cricketers Association (PCA) Player of the Year award yesterday, and on Tuesday he was also named as the Cricket Writers’ Club Championship Player of the Year.

The left-hander hit 1,489 Championship runs at an average of 67.68 and helped the Tykes secure the first division title, winning eight matches, drawing seven and losing only one to finish 17 points clear of second-placed Warwickshire.

The former Scarborough FC trainee said: “I am very proud to have been recognised my peers for the PCA award, it is the ultimate accolade for your fellow players to vote for you.

“It was also brilliant to be named as the Cricket writers’ Club Championship Player of the Year, this caps a great season, but the first division title win for Yorkshire is still the top achievement in my eyes.”

This double award win can only strengthen the chances of Lyth receiving a call-up to the England Test squad for their tour of the West Indies next April, especially after his selection for the EPP (England Performance Programme) last week.

Lyth will be hoping to get his chance to press his claims during the England Lions tour of South Africa in January, but with current England opener Sam Robson and his fellow Yorkshire opener Alex Lees likely to be in the touring party, the former Scarborough CC man will need to continue his top form to force his way into the Test line-up.