James Shannon, Stuart Thompson & Max Sorensen have been revealed as the short-listed nominees for the ‘Aengus Fanning International Emerging Player of the Year Award.’ The award will be one of the main awards to be presented at the RSA Cricket Ireland Awards that will take place on 16th November.
James Shannon, Stuart Thompson & Max Sorensen have been revealed as the short-listed nominees for the ‘Aengus Fanning International Emerging Player of the Year Award.’ The award will be one of the main awards presented at the RSA Cricket Ireland Awards that will take place on 16th November.
The award is named in honour of the former Sunday Independent editor and cricketing enthusiast Aengus Fanning, who sadly passed away earlier this year following a short illness. This award is sponsored by the Sunday Independent who are the official media partner of the 2012 RSA Cricket Ireland Awards.
22 year-old James Shannon played 10 times in the voting period scoring 356 runs at 27.38, making two half centuries. His top score of 59 came against South Africa A in the four-day game at Oak Hill.
Stuart Thompson played 13 times, scoring 340 runs at 37.78, with two half centuries. His top score of 93 came in the famous A team win against Gloucestershire 2nd XI. In addition the 21 year-old took 23 wickets at 19, with a best bowling return of 4 for 56 against Kent 2nd XI.
Max Sorensen was the leading wicket taker in the category, taking 37 wickets in his 22 appearances at an average of just 17.46. He won the Man of the Match in the ICC World Twenty20 play-off win against Namibia, a victory which secured Ireland’s place in Sri Lanka.
Ireland coach Phil Simmons was fulsome in his praise for the three nominees saying: “The three guys have been excellent since their introduction into senior international cricket and acquitted themselves superbly. Their application and talent have seen them turn in valuable performances from the outset.
“James Shannon batted superbly in the games against a very strong South Africa A side, and showed just how strong his technique is. Stuart Thompson has graduated from the A ranks and proven himself capable of taking big wickets. He’s also got plenty of time when batting and I’m sure the month spent in Sri Lanka will be of great benefit to his cricket. Max Sorensen has a magnificent attitude and that work ethic coupled with ability is a potent combination. I’m certain he will be a regular fixture in the senior ranks for many years to come.”
Anne Harris, editor of the Sunday Independent said of the award; “If there was one thing which linked Aengus’s achievements in journalism and his love of cricket, it was his admiration of excellence – whether it was a beautifully crafted sentence or a powerfully struck cover drive, he could see the talent that lay behind each. He also believed in giving youth its chance, providing a platform for the start of many careers in journalism. So I think he would have been delighted to have his name associated with this award, sponsored by the Sunday Independent Cricket Society, for the international emerging player.”
The inaugural RSA Cricket Ireland Awards will take place in the Round Room of the Mansion House on Friday November 16. Seats and table sales are available now, for what is a gala celebration of Irish Cricket hosted by Today FM’s Matt Cooper. The Sunday Independent are the Official Media Partner for the RSA Cricket Ireland awards and will be profiling the nominees for the Aengus Fanning International Emerging Player of the year on Sunday 4th November. Readers are also in with a chance to win a great prize if they can match the judges’ choice for the award.
For further details please visit http://www.cricketireland.ie/awards
Cricket Ireland
Max Sorensen is one of three nominess © Rob O’Connor/Rocshot
[350] Max Sorensen – sorensen-max
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