Hopes Bulls' best for third time

Resilient Queensland cricket captain James Hopes is the first three-time winner of the Bulls' player of the year award, receiving the Ian Healy Trophy on Saturday night.

The 35-year-old former Australian one-day allrounder was rewarded for a remarkable season in which he defied back stress fractures and a rib injury.

Hopes had his best first-class season with the ball, taking career-best bowling figures in consecutive matches, and finishing with 38 wickets at 24.28 to top Queensland's wicket-takers.

He was the third leading wicket-taker overall in the Sheffield Shield and named in the ACA Shield Team of the Year.

Hopes also took out the Bulls Players' Player and Brisbane Heat's Best Team Man awards on the night.

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His Healy Trophy win follows success in 2004-05 and 2010-11.

New Zealand Black Caps legend Dan Vettori was the Heat MVP, while Usman Khawaja (Ryobi Cup) and Peter Forrest (Sheffield Shield) were each recognised for their fine efforts during the summer.

Recalled Australian Southern Stars T20 allrounder Delissa Kimmince was the Queensland Fire player of the year.