sport news Jonny Bairstow is named the inaugural winner of the repurposed Bob Willis Trophy trends now
Jonny Bairstow has become the inaugural winner of the Bob Willis Trophy, repurposed to honour England's player of the year.
The silverware, which bears the likeness of the former England captain and broadcaster, was originally conceived as a first-class cricket trophy during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, but the end-of-season showpiece was discontinued after two years.
It has now been given a new lease of life by the Cricket Writers' Club, which honoured Bairstow for his sensational run of form this summer in a new category open to both the men's and women's team.
Jonny Bairstow has been named the inaugural recipient of the repurposed Bob Willis Trophy
The 33-year-old is currently recovering from a horrific leg break that will keep him out until 2023, but looks back with joy at a campaign that saw him post four Test centuries, including England's fastest ton in the format for 120 years, and average 75.66.
'It's one of those summers that we'll all remember as a group of people and I'm sure as a cricket nation,' Bairstow said, after accepting the award.
'I remember the 2005 Ashes very fondly and was inspired by the spectacle those guys put on. Hopefully we have inspired the next generation, or people who haven't played the game who flicked on, and entertained them.
The England batsman enjoyed a remarkable summer in which he scored four tons across the summer at a rate of 75.66
'We're not going to get it right all the time but we won six out of seven Tests this summer, which hasn't been done for a very long time. We must be doing something right.'
Nat Sciver was selected by the CWC for the JM Finn women's cricket award, having scored 148 in the World Cup final,
