Worcestershire CCC opener Ollie Westbury has capped off a summer to remember by winning a prestigious award.
Westbury, who has just started his first year as a fully fledged professional with the County, has lifted the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust (BJMT) Player Of The Year for 2016.
He was one of a trio of promising Worcestershire youngsters who reaped the benefits of support from the BJMT during 2016 in their bid to become professional cricketers.
Westbury enjoyed a prolific summer with the bat with the highlight being his 196 on his debut for England Under-19s against Sri Lanka Under-19s in the first Test at Fenners.
He also scored consistently for Worcestershire Seconds and in club cricket.
Westbury, Academy elite player group member Ryan Wheldon and England Women's Development Programme player Emily Arlott each received £500 scholarships from the BJMT.
The financial windfall helped towards funding travelling costs of attending coaching sessions-matches at Malvern College and New Road respectively plus purchasing new cricket equipment.
Westbury received his BJMT award at a dinner in London at which the guest speaker was former Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Sir John Major who is a vice patron of the Trust.
The event also included a Q and A session hosted by former England captain Chris Cowdrey featuring former Brian Johnston scholars and young spin bowlers from the BJMT Elite Spin Bowling Programme.
Westbury said: "It was an honour to receive the award. I was very grateful to receive the scholarship in the first place and, to then have the summer I have had and to then win the award, is brilliant.
"They give the scholarships out to numerous people and one person wins the award for their performances each summer.
"There was another award for a spin bowler and that was Amar Verdi from Surrey
"The 196 against Sri Lanka was the highlight. The summer couldn't really have gone any better for me.
"I got back from Australia with a plan and to try and score as many runs as I could. Thankfully that came off last summer and hopefully I can continue that into next year."
Worcestershire Academy Coach Elliot Wilson said: "Each year the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust sponsors a group of players who can benefit from a bit of extra financial support.
"It is a fund for guys who have got challenging situations – like Ollie last year who was living in Dudley and making 50-60 extra journeys in the year down to Worcester which, for a lad not earning any pennies, is quite a cost.
"A little bit of financial support from the Brian Johnston Memorial Trust (BJMT) goes a long way and is always appreciated by the players and Worcestershire CCC."
