Tremain named Shield Player of the Year

Victoria fast bowler Chris Tremain has been named the 2017-18 Sheffield Shield Player of the Year.

Tremain was the competition's leading wicket-taker, claiming 51 wickets from 10 matches at an average of 21.07 including two five-wicket hauls, and best match figures of 10-143 against Western Australia in Round 8.

In a tight leaderboard, the 26-year-old earned 13 votes to win by the smallest of margins from joint runners-up Jackson Bird and Nick Winter (both 12 votes).

"I'm very humbled to have been awarded the Sheffield Shield player of the Season in a year where so many players across the competition have performed to a high standard, especially my Victorian teammates and the bowling group I have the privilege of working with," Tremain said.

"Naturally we'd love to be competing in this week's final, but to finish the season as the leading wicket-taker is a nice reward for me and my hard work during the season."

The Sheffield Shield Player of the Year voting system sees each standing umpire award a 3-2-1 vote to the players they adjudicated as best on ground in each match.

Six players finished with 11 votes – including five from Shield finalists Queensland – while Tremain's teammate Glenn Maxwell rounded out the top 10 with 10 votes.

"Chris has had a terrific year, and is a very worthy winner of the Sheffield Shield Player of the Year award," CA's Executive General Manager – Team Performance, Pat Howard, said.

"With 51 wickets throughout the competition, Chris enjoyed success with both the Dukes and Kookaburra balls against the best batsmen in different conditions around the country, and claimed 22 wickets in the final three rounds as Victoria competed for a berth in the final.

"We applaud Chris on his efforts this year, and all award winners on their success during the summer."

In the Benaud Spirit of Cricket Awards, Queensland and Victoria both claimed a trophy.

Queensland won the Men's Spirit of Cricket Award, encompassing umpire votes from both the JLT Sheffield Shield and JLT One-Day Cup, while Victoria won the Women's Spirit of Cricket Award based on votes from the Women's National Cricket League.

Western Australia's D'Arcy Short was named the Lord's Taverners Indigenous Cricketer of the Year, while Paul Wilson won the CA Umpire Award.

Sheffield Shield Player of the Year voting – top 10

Chris Tremain (Vic) – 13 votes

Jackson Bird (Tas) – 12

Nick Winter (SA) – 12

Usman Khawaja (Qld) – 11

Hilton Cartwright (WA) – 11

Michael Neser (Qld) – 11

Luke Feldman (Qld) – 11

Charlie Hemphrey (Qld) – 11

Matthew Renshaw (Qld) – 11

Glenn Maxwell (Vic) – 10