Worcestershire batsman Tom Fell's sporting behaviour during the Specsavers County Championship match with Sussex at Hove earlier this week has won him the 2016 Christopher Martin Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award.
The 22-year-old becomes the fourth winner of the award after Derbyshire's Wayne Madsen (2013), Sussex's Luke Wright (2014) and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum (2015).
The award was created by Marylebone Cricket Club and the BBC in memory of former MCC President and BBC Test Match Special commentator Martin-Jenkins, who passed away in January 2013.
Fell's conduct on the third and final day at Hove was recognised by a judging panel of MCC and BBC representatives.
Sussex were in the middle of chasing a 272 target when Fell completed a diving stop on the boundary and returned the ball to the wicketkeeper.
But the former Oakham School pupil then indicated to the umpires that his foot had been in contact with the rope when he collected the ball and that four runs should be signalled.
His actions were applauded by spectators and Worcestershire went onto win the game by 11 runs – their fifth win in the competition – to keep alive their hopes of finishing runners-up in Division Two.
MCC Chief Executive Derek Brewer paid tribute to Fell and said: “Tom Fell is fully deserving of this award in light of his actions against Sussex.
"MCC works hard to promote the ‘Play Hard, Play Fair’ message through the Spirit of Cricket at all levels of the game.
"So it is very encouraging to see professionals like Tom setting such a good example.”
