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Entertainment & Discussions => Sports Zone => Cricket => Topic started by: Shahriar Mohammad Kamal on September 20, 2015, 11:32:45 AM
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Brendon McCullum has been handed a CMJ Spirit of Cricket Award in recognition of his conduct during the New Zealand tour of England earlier this year.
McCullum was selected as the winner of this year’s CMJ Pro Award by a panel including BBC Test Match Special’s Jonathan Agnew and MCC President David Morgan.
The panel were particularly impressed with his leadership qualities and the culture of fair play that his team displayed.
The CMJ Award initiative was created by MCC and BBC in memory of former MCC President and BBC Test Match Special commentator Christopher Martin-Jenkins, who passed away in January 2013.
There are four awards which are given to the boy, girl, school and professional who have best exhibited the Spirit of Cricket either on a specific occasion or throughout the season, be that through outstanding sportsmanship, fair play or respect for opponents and umpires.
The winners of the Girls’ Award are Ballinger Waggoners Under 13s. (pictured)
In a 10-a-side, 20 over match Ballinger’s opponents, Chesham Girls, only had six players. Ballinger let two batting pairs bat for eight overs each and one for the remaining four to ensure Chesham could use up their allotted overs.
They then loaned their opposition four fielders for the Ballinger innings – one of whom ran out her teammate with a direct hit. Chesham won the game and went on to finish top of their league, with Ballinger narrowly missing out on promotion in third place.
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McCullum’s conduct this year embodied the ‘Play Hard, Play Fair’ message
The winner of the Boys’ Award is Oliver Steward, who plays for Burn CC Under 15s in North Yorkshire. After a batsman was given out caught behind off his bowling, Oliver called him back after noticing it was a bump ball.
The reprieved batsman then went on to narrowly win the game for his team in last few overs.
As their prize, both Boys’ and Girls’ winners have been given tickets to the Royal London One Day Cup Final at Lord’s today.
They will also be given a tour of the J.P. Morgan Media Centre before giving a live interview on BBC Test Match Special during the lunch break.
The winner of the Schools’ Award is the King Solomon Academy in Marylebone. Situated in one of the poorest wards of London, the Academy has a large majority of students from challenging backgrounds and face day to day situations that affect their academic and emotional progress.
Ballinger Waggoners U13 300Cricket has become very popular amongst the pupils and the school’s first mixed Under 13s team recently played their first friendly fixture, and won.
They will receive a joint donation of £2000 from MCC and the BBC which will be spent on hiring facilities for coaching sessions, adding nets to their sports hall and starting an Under 15s team.
David Morgan, MCC President, said: "The entries for the CMJ Spirit of Cricket Awards were as strong as ever this year, and the winners can be very proud that they have been chosen.
"Brendon McCullum’s conduct throughout the New Zealand tour earlier this year embodied the ‘Play Hard, Play Fair’ message MCC champions through the Spirit of Cricket, and it’s fantastic to see that culture present within the boys and girls who have been recognised with the other awards.
"They are fully deserving of their acclaim and I hope they enjoy their prizes."
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