Liam Dawson Named Players' Player Of The Year

Hampshire's Liam Dawson, Ryan McLaren Sean Ervine and Reece Topley along with the Southern Vipers' Suzie Bates, were the big winners at the 2016 End of Season Awards Dinner.

The annual event, which celebrates the achievements of both Hampshire and the Vipers from the 2016 season, and also included an audience with former Hampshire captain Mark Nicholas, took place in the Ageas Ballroom at Hilton Southampton – The Ageas Bowl on Friday 30th September.

The 26-year old Dawson, who is currently representing England on their tour of Bangladesh, won the Players’ Player of the Year, voted for by his fellow Hampshire teammates.

Dawson totalled more than 1,300 runs alongside 57 wickets across all competitions for Hampshire this season, whilst also featuring for England in both an IT20 and ODI earlier this year, taking an impressive 3-27 on debut at the The Ageas Bowl in July.

Ervine pipped both McLaren (second-place) and Dawson (third-place) to win the 2016 Fans’ Player of the Year Award with the all-rounder also taking home the Batsman Of the Year Award, for his outstanding contributions this season.

The 34-year-old, who is enjoying a benefit year this season, struck 1,000 first-class runs in a season for the first time in his career, hitting a total of 1,090 runs in the Specsavers County Championship at an average of more than 57.

South-African seamer Ryan McLaren claimed the accolade of Bowler Of The Year after finishing the 2016 campaign with an outstanding 32 Championship wickets to go alongside his 869 first-class runs at an average of 51.11.

The 33-year old was a crucial contributor with both bat and ball throughout the campaign but also featured prominently in a number of community activities leading to him being voted one half of the 2016 Clubmen Of The Year alongside fast-bowler Reece Topley.

The Clubman Award, which aims to reward on and off-field commitment to the club, was shared by the duo following a tie in the voting.

The Ageas Bowl based Southern Vipers were also recognised during the evening, as the Kia Super League trophy was presented along with the inaugural Southern Vipers Player Of The Year gong, which was awarded to Suzie Bates.

Bates was a huge factor in helping the Vipers secure the first ever KSL title, scoring 252 runs at an average of 46 with the bat, whilst also picking up nine scalps at an average of less than 14.

The 2016 Hampshire Cricket Season Highlights Video also featured during the evening and this is now available to view below: