The start of the 2021/22 South African domestic cricket season will also usher in a new season of the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA) Most Valuable Player (MVP) rankings with a full round of fixtures in the four-day competition starting on Friday.
Now in its 11th season, the SACA MVP is a statistical ranking algorithm that is recognised by players as a measure of consistency across the division 1 domestic competitions throughout the season.
The MVP formula considers the number of runs scored for the team, taking top order or match-winning wickets and catches in the field are all weighted against the intensity of the match and the individual’s contribution to the team.
Individual player points are tallied up and at the end of the season, four domestic MVP titles will be awarded. Players contest the award for Overall MVP, 4-Day competition MVP, Momentum One-Day Cup (MODC) MVP and the Mzansi Super League MVP.
Last season, Proteas and Dolphins spinner Keshav Maharaj took home the Overall and the 4-Day MVP titles after a successful season but was pipped to the T20 MVP top spot by Proteas teammate Reeza Hendricks.
A restructured domestic set-up and the added challenge of going in and out of bio-bubbles will make for an intriguing and unpredictable MVP tussle as competition increases with more teams competing.
The one-day competition will have a new MVP this season as Dolphins all-rounder, Robbie Frylinck took the honours last season, capping off his career on a high. Frylinck’s 72.626 points was enough to edge out Jon Jon Smuts (Warriors) 69.811 points and Janneman Malan (Cape Cobras) on 63.794 points.
“Every season brings with it a renewed excitement as we watch the country’s best first-class cricketers strive to make their mark in all three formats of the game,” said Andrew Breetzke, SACA CEO. This year promises to be one of the most keenly contested SACA MVP series’ we’ve ever had and we wish all the players the best in the race to the top of the MVP 2021/22 title.”