Cricket

Liam Dawson has emerged as the first domestic cricketer since 2018 to claim the coveted PCA Men's Player of the Year award. His exceptional all-round performance for Hampshire in the 2023 season, where he amassed 71 wickets and 1,280 runs across all formats, propelled him to the top of the Overall MVP table.Dawson's triumph follows a string of England players who have secured the honor, including Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Ben Stokes. Joe Denly was the last county player to receive the award in 2018.In addition to the Player of the Year accolade, Dawson also scooped the PCA Men's Domestic Overall MVP and the Vitality County Championship Player of the Year awards. He was also named captain of the IG PCA Men's Team of the Year."It's a huge honor," said Dawson. "I didn't expect this, so to win the award is a very proud moment. It's a real highlight of my career."Scotland's Kathryn Bryce was crowned the Women's Player of the Year after leading The Blaze to the Charlotte Edwards Cup victory. She also claimed the PCA Women's Domestic Overall MVP, Charlotte Edwards Cup Player of the Year, and captained the Metro Bank PCA Women's Team of the Year."It's been a brilliant year," said Bryce. "This is a year I will remember for a long time."Jamie Smith and Ryana MacDonald-Gay were recognized as the PCA Men's and Women's Young Players of the Year, respectively. Smith made an immediate impact in Test cricket for England, while MacDonald-Gay made her England debut against Ireland.The PCA Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Matthew Maynard for his work with the Tom Maynard Trust, while James Anderson received the Special Merit award following his international retirement.Neil Bainton and Anna Harris were named the PCA's Umpires of the Year, and England players Harry Brook and Lauren Bell received the Rado Recognition award.

Hampshire's quest for second place in the Vitality County Championship received a significant boost as they dismantled Somerset for a paltry 136 on the opening day of their final Division One encounter at Taunton. Kyle Abbott and Liam Dawson wreaked havoc with the ball, claiming four wickets apiece.Somerset's batting woes began early as Tom Lammonby and Andy Umeed departed cheaply to Abbott. Tom Abell's brief resistance ended when Mohammad Abbas bowled him for 10. Tom Kohler-Cadmore emerged as the lone bright spot, launching his innings with a flurry of boundaries.Dawson's introduction proved pivotal as he trapped Archie Vaughan and James Rew leg before wicket. Kasey Aldridge's struggles against Dawson culminated in another lbw dismissal. Lewis Gregory and Kohler-Cadmore briefly steadied the ship, but Dawson struck again to remove Gregory.Kohler-Cadmore reached his half-century, but his resistance ended when he was caught behind off Abbott. Shoaib Bashir's brief stay at the crease ended in an lbw dismissal, leaving Somerset all out for 136.Hampshire's reply got off to a shaky start as Alfie Ogborne dismissed Fletcha Middleton. Nick Gubbins and James Vince fell to Gregory and Leach, respectively. Leach continued his impressive spell by removing Tom Prest and Dawson.Despite the setbacks, Hampshire closed the day on 62 for 5, with Toby Albert unbeaten on 38. Somerset now face an uphill battle to overtake Hampshire and finish second behind champions Surrey.

Worcestershire's hopes of salvaging a draw against Hampshire dwindled as Liam Dawson's all-round brilliance propelled the hosts towards victory in the Vitality County Championship clash.Dawson, a spinning all-rounder, reached a milestone of 50 wickets in a season for the first time, adding Kashif Ali and Adam Hose to his tally. His bowling exploits have been matched by his batting prowess, as he has scored eight fifties in Division One this year, the most by any player.In Hampshire's second innings, Dawson's 51 helped set Worcestershire a daunting target of 394 runs. However, the visitors' chase got off to a shaky start as Joe Leach's accurate bowling accounted for Hampshire's top three.Despite James Vince's 44, Hampshire's innings lacked fluency, with Amar Virdi claiming four wickets. However, Dawson and Tom Prest injected some momentum with a brisk 72-run partnership.Worcestershire's reply began poorly as Gareth Roderick was dismissed cheaply. Dawson continued his wicket-taking spree, trapping Ali lbw and inducing a slip catch from Rob Jones. Vince's second slip catch accounted for Hose, giving Dawson his 50th wicket of the season.Jake Libby has shown resilience, reaching 55 not out, but Worcestershire still face an uphill battle to avoid defeat. With 277 runs still required and only five wickets remaining, Hampshire are poised to secure victory.

Hampshire's Liam Dawson starred with both bat and ball as they crushed Lancashire by an innings and 37 runs at Emirates Old Trafford, securing a vital victory in their Vitality County Championship clash.Dawson's first-innings century and match-winning 10-wicket haul propelled Hampshire to their third innings victory over Lancashire in 158 matches. The triumph also marked Lancashire's first consecutive innings defeats in the County Championship since 1907.Lancashire's batting woes began in their first innings, where they were dismissed for 200. Dawson's five-wicket haul, including the key scalp of Keaton Jennings, played a crucial role in their collapse. Hampshire enforced the follow-on, and Dawson continued his dominance, claiming another five wickets in the second innings.Luke Wells provided some resistance for Lancashire with a half-century, but his efforts were in vain as Hampshire's bowlers, led by Dawson and Mohammad Abbas, proved too strong. The victory earned Hampshire 22 points, while Lancashire collected just three, leaving them in danger of relegation.Dawson's all-round performance was a testament to his exceptional talent. His match figures of 10 for 99, coupled with his first-innings century, highlighted his versatility and impact on the game.The victory was a significant boost for Hampshire, who had lost their previous match at The Oval. It also marked a disappointing setback for Lancashire, who now face an uphill battle to avoid relegation.

Hampshire's relentless pursuit of a Vitality County Championship title received a significant boost with a sensational six-wicket victory over Kent at the Ageas Bowl. The hosts, chasing a modest target of 179 in 31 overs, were propelled to victory by Liam Dawson's remarkable 29-ball 56.Hampshire's triumph was set up by a dominant first-innings performance, where they amassed a mammoth 505 for 8 declared, thanks to centuries from James Vince (211) and Ian Holland (110). Kent's response of 343 was insufficient, despite Harry Finch's 84.On the final day, Hampshire needed eight wickets to secure victory, but were hampered by the absence of Keith Barker. However, they made light work of Kent's resistance, with Kyle Abbott claiming a five-wicket haul (5-89).Kent's hopes rested on Ben Compton's gritty 92, but his dismissal triggered a collapse. Finch (84) and Tawanda Muyeye (43) provided some resistance, but Abbott's relentless pace proved too much.Hampshire's chase began with a blistering start from Toby Albert and Fletcha Middleton, who put on 41 in seven overs. Vince continued the momentum with a quickfire 32, but his dismissal and Middleton's unfortunate run-out left Hampshire needing 100 from 18 overs.Dawson then took center stage, unleashing a barrage of sixes and fours to terrorize Kent's bowlers. His blistering innings, which included two sixes and seven fours, sealed the victory in just 23 overs.Hampshire's triumph keeps them in the title race, with three wins in their last four matches. Kent, on the other hand, remain winless in the Championship since May 3.

Warwickshire's hopes of securing their first County Championship victory of the season hang in the balance after Hampshire piled on the pressure on day three at Edgbaston.James Vince and Liam Dawson plundered centuries to propel Hampshire to a formidable 453 for 6 declared, setting Warwickshire a daunting target of 498. The home side reached 40 for 1 at the close, leaving both teams with a chance of victory on the final day.Vince, who has been in prolific form this season, notched his 29th first-class century with an unbeaten 166 off 197 balls. Dawson, not to be outdone, contributed a resolute 120 (157 balls) as the pair forged a mammoth 255-run partnership for the sixth wicket.Hampshire's pragmatic approach, prioritizing steady accumulation over aggression, may have backfired. The pitch, which has been increasingly favorable for batters, could make it challenging for their bowlers to force a victory.Warwickshire's bowlers toiled valiantly but were unable to make significant inroads into Hampshire's batting lineup. Olly Hannon-Dalby claimed three wickets, while Danny Briggs and Jake Bethell picked up one each.The home side's hopes of chasing down the target were dealt a blow when Kyle Abbott trapped Alex Davies lbw in the ninth over of their innings. However, with favorable batting conditions expected on the final day, Warwickshire will fancy their chances of saving the match.

Hampshire's spinners, Felix Organ and Liam Dawson, unleashed a devastating performance to crush Surrey by an innings and 278 runs, handing the reigning champions their heaviest-ever Vitality County Championship innings defeat.Organ claimed his third career five-wicket haul, while Dawson picked up 4 for 45, as Surrey collapsed for 127 and 203. The victory marked Hampshire's first home win of the season and their largest-ever victory.Surrey's only heavier defeats in first-class cricket came against England in 1866 and Don Bradman's Australians in 1948, both by an innings and 296 runs.The spin-fest began after Keith Barker dismissed Rory Burns, but it was Dawson and Organ who wreaked havoc. Dom Sibley fell to an inside edge, while Ollie Pope was pinned back by a wicked off-spinner.Organ continued his dominance, trapping Jamie Smith and Dan Lawrence. Ben Foakes showed resilience with an unbeaten 19, but wickets continued to tumble. Dawson caught Cam Steel at first slip, yorked Jordan Clark, and bowled Gus Atkinson. Organ completed his five-for when Sean Abbott chipped to mid-on, and Dawson closed out the match by bowling Dan Worrall.Earlier, Ben Brown reached his 24th first-class century, and Hampshire amassed a mammoth 608 for 6 declared. Brown's 165 not out was the highest score of the match, while James Vince declared with his side 481 runs ahead.Hampshire's victory has opened up the title race, with Essex and Somerset now hot on the heels of Surrey at the summit of Division One.

Hampshire's title hopes suffered a setback as they trailed Surrey by 25 runs at the close of day one of their Vitality County Championship clash at the Utilita Bowl.Kyle Abbott, the ground's all-time leading wicket-taker, spearheaded Surrey's bowling attack with a devastating post-lunch spell of 5 for 25. The South African's predatory bowling reduced Surrey to 127 all out, despite their recovery from 15 for 4 last week against Worcestershire.Liam Dawson also played a crucial role, claiming 3 for 21 as Surrey's top order crumbled. Dom Sibley, Rory Burns, and Ollie Pope all fell to Dawson's left-arm spin, while Jamie Smith dismissed debutant Michael Neser to leave Surrey reeling at 89 for 4 at lunch.Abbott's inspired spell after the break saw him dismiss Dan Lawrence, Ben Foakes, Jordan Clark, Sean Abbott, and Gus Atkinson in quick succession. The 34-ball burst propelled Abbott past Dimi Mascarenhas as the Utilita Bowl's greatest-ever wicket-taker.Hampshire's response was cautious, with Fletcha Middleton and Toby Albert putting on a 51-run stand for the first wicket. However, Middleton's dismissal for 27 left Hampshire on 102 for 1 at stumps, with Albert unbeaten on 34 and Nick Gubbins on 27.Surrey's woes were compounded by wicket-keeper Ben Foakes' absence due to a back spasm, while Hampshire's Ali Orr also suffered a similar injury.

Durham's David Bedingham continued his impressive run-scoring form in the Vitality County Championship, notching his second century of the season against Hampshire. Bedingham's 144 helped Durham reach 410 for 8, trailing Hampshire's 503 by 93 runs.Bedingham, who now has 490 runs this season, has emerged as one of Division One's leading run-getters. His average of 81.66 is a testament to his consistent performances.Hampshire's Liam Dawson, who bowled a marathon 62 overs, claimed his 11th five-wicket haul. However, Bedingham's innings ensured that Durham remained in contention.Bedingham forged partnerships with Alex Lees, Matthew Potts, and Graham Clark, who all contributed valuable runs. Bedingham's century came off 193 balls, and he celebrated with a flurry of boundaries off Kyle Abbott.Despite Bedingham's heroics, Hampshire still holds a slender lead. The match is likely to end in a draw unless something extraordinary occurs.Bedingham's performance highlights his growing stature as a batsman. He has now surpassed 1000 first-class runs in two of his three full seasons for Durham. His 14th century for the county is a testament to his consistency and ability to score runs in all formats.The placid nature of the pitch made it easier for Bedingham to accumulate runs. However, he still displayed excellent technique and timing throughout his innings.