Michael Pepper has been voted as the PCA Player of the Month for June following some fantastic displays in the domestic game, including his maiden Vitality Blast century against Middlesex.
He was shortlisted through the PCA’s Most Valuable Player Rankings, powered by Argentex, for his remarkable performances in June as the top four players according to the unique algorithm from the men’s and women’s game faced a public vote. The winners were decided by a 50:50 split between the PCA MVP Rankings and the supporters poll.
For the men’s category, Pepper won more than half the public vote alongside being the highest ranked player on the MVP Rankings in June. Following his England Test call up, Surrey’s Jamie Smith came second, whilst Warwickshire teammates Jacob Bethell and Dan Mousley were third and fourth respectively.
Pepper follows his Eagles teammate, Jordan Cox who picked up the award for May.
In the women’s game, Kathryn Bryce also received the highest percentage of the public vote alongside being ranked the best player on the MVP Rankings to give her the award. Sunrisers Grace Scrivens climbed up to second with a strong public vote as Northern Diamonds’ Hollie Armitage finished third with Sarah Bryce in fourth.
Pepper voted best player in June
A phenomenal month from Pepper with the bat in the Vitality Blast saw him score 326 runs at an average of 54.3, earning him 170 MVP points.
The 26-year-old also portrayed his capabilities behind the stumps with 11 dismissals in the Vitality County Championship.
The wicketkeeper-batter won two Match MVP awards in June, his innings of 101 off 44 balls against Middlesex earned him the most MVP points of any Match MVP in the month with 55.
An innings of 76 off 42 balls against Kent also won him a Match MVP in the Battle of the Bridge as Essex won by five wickets.
One of the best T20 innings ever witnessed at Chelmsford 💪
Here’s the best bits from @MpepperPepsi’s innings…
🦅 #FlyLikeAnEagle pic.twitter.com/mNElPIAk9z
— Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) June 4, 2024
Pepper will receive a bespoke Mappin & Webb trophy for winning the June PCA Player of the Month and described what it was like to win the accolade.
“It feels good to win it, I’d actually forgotten about being nominated with how busy the schedule is but it’s great to win against some other really good nominees.
“It’s always nice keeping the award at Essex with Coxy (Jordan Cox) winning it last month and I’ve been able to learn some valuable things off him, he’s an amazing player.
“We’re in a very strong position for competing for trophies but the schedule has been relentless. It’s been difficult with no rest days and jumping from T20 to red-ball, with all the travel as well and no time for training, it’s tough on the body and the mind.
“It’s great to hear that the fans are backing me, knowing that people are voting for you, is a great feeling and keeps you motivated.”
