Joe Root wins inaugural LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player Award (From Gazette & Herald)

Joe Root wins inaugural LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player Award

11:42am Thursday 6th September 2012 in Sport

Yorkshire County Cricket club batsman Joe Root was named the winner of the inaugural LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player Award.

The award, presented by former England captain Mike Gatting, far left, celebrates the most promising young player in the county game this season.

Root was one of six players shortlisted for the award by an esteemed panel, which was then put to a fan vote during August.

Root saw off tough competition from fellow Tykes team-mate Garry Ballance, Simon Kerrigan of Lancashire, Surrey fast bowler Stuart Meaker, Derbyshire top order batsman Dan Redfern and Kent all-rounder Matt Coles.

The opener received a commemorative TAG Heuer watch in recognition of his outstanding season in the LV= County Championship.

At only 21-years-old Root has been likened to England skipper Michael Vaughan and has recently been tipped for England duty after his performances in this season's LV= County Championship.

With one game in the competition remaining, the young top order batsman has scored prolifically.He is averaging 49.31 in first-class cricket this season, with a career best of 222 not out against Hampshire in the LV= County Championship earlier this year.

Said Gatting: “Joe is a worthy winner of the inaugural LV= Breakthrough Player Award. Joe has a bright future in the game and strikes me as the kind of player who will make the very best use of his talent in years to come. His 222 not out against Hampshire was a defining moment – it was a fantastic achievement from one of England’s hottest prospects.”

Said Root: “I’m over the moon to have won the LV= Breakthrough Player Award. I was up against some top players so even being nominated was an achievement in itself.

“I’m happy with how my season has been going, especially considering it is only my second full season in the County Championship.

“I feel I have really developed as a player this season and I owe a great deal of that to the talented players I play alongside as well as the support and coaching I receive at Yorkshire cricket club."