In our final feature on the best players in the Specsavers County Championship this season, we look at the men who have been mopping up behind the stumps…
We've scene some outstanding glove-work this year. But, who gets your vote for pick of the bunch in 2016? We've left you to pick from pic.twitter.com/2b9lw8xWHh
— County Championship (@CountyChamp) September 30, 2016
John Simpson
There is a strong argument that Simpson is one of the most improved cricketers on the circuit. Tidy with the gloves and busy with the bat, he was an unsung hero in Middlesex’s title winning campaign. With 45 victims to his name along with 779 runs, his defining moment came at Taunton, where with two balls left he clubbed a six to win the game for his adopted county.
Ben Foakes
The Surrey ‘keeper is one of the most exciting prospects in English cricket. His glove-work is improving game-on-game and being a natural athlete, he’s pulled off a number of stunning catches in 2016. It’s with the bat where he has progressed the most and 759 runs at an average of 42.16 is testament to that.
Ben Brown
Ben Brown has gone simply about his business this year, with a no nonsense approach to the game, he may have flown slightly under the radar. However, 854 runs at an average of 50.23 is a brilliant return for the ‘keeper, and with 40 catches to his credit, it was a successful season by the sea.
Ben Cox
The 24-year-old enjoyed his most fruitful year at New Road to date. 757 runs at 35.33 is a good return, along with the 32 catches to his name, but it’s his work standing up to the stumps that has earned him plaudits. In particular, one leg-side stumping was arguably the best work of any ‘keeper on the circuit.