Broad closes in on MVP leader Anderson

Stuart Broad has edged to within three points of James Anderson in the race for the England FTI Most Valuable Player Award.

The Nottinghamshire bowler captained his side to a share of the NatWest International T20 Series against Australia, picking up 11.52 points in the process.

England now face Ireland in Tuesday’s one-day international at Dublin before taking on Australia again in five ODIs.

But with many of their top stars, including Anderson and Broad not selected for the NatWest Series, the path is clear for another player to make a late run.

Most likely perhaps is Joe Root, who has been selected alongside Kevin Petersen. Root is currently third on 224 points, just 17 points off the summit.

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.

The highest FTI MVP scorers in the two Twenty20 internationals were Alex Hales and Jade Dernbach.

Despite falling six runs short of his maiden T20I century, Hales landed over 26 ranking points. Dernbach picked up 17 points for his 3-23 and both men now have 34 points from their four T20Is this summer.