Swann leads the way in Ashes FTI MVP rankings

Graeme Swann’s second five-wicket haul at Old Trafford has ensured he has a sizeable lead in the FTI Most Valuable Player rankings going into the fourth Test at Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground.

For the first time this summer data is being compared between the two sets of players in a home series of the Investec Ashes.

And the Nottinghamshire spinner is now 24 points clear in the rankings after claiming three of the five Australian top-order batsmen and finishing with figures of 5-159.

His effort followed an even better haul in the visitors’ opening innings at Lord’s, in which he took five for just 44 runs from 21.3 overs.

He bowled five maidens in that time, with an economy rate of 2.04, before going on to take another four wickets in the second innings.

Peter Siddle again impressed with the ball for Australia at Old Trafford, claiming four England wickets in the first innings for 63 runs off 29.3 overs.

With Emirates Durham ICG likely to favour the quick bowlers, he will now have his eye on improving his bowling rating of 69.79 and his average of 24.82.

Lord’s man-of-the-match Joe Root occupies third place by a point. A total of just 21 runs in Manchester prevented him greatly improving his 24.82 average and 52.53 batting total. 

The England FTI MVP rewards players for every run scored, wicket taken and catch held across all three formats of the game, starting this summer with the Investec Test Series against New Zealand.

Bowlers receive higher marks for good economy rates in the FTI MVPs, bowling maidens and dismissing the top order, while batsmen are rewarded for high run rates and the percentage of the team’s runs they hit.

There are now more points across all formats for those notching 40 and 50 per cent of a team’s total, for top order batsmen, in recognition of their greater challenge against the new ball, and for those who hit big hundreds.

Overall Eng/Aus FTI MVP Points Summer 2013