It was said of a certain senior cricketer who shall be nameless [it was the late Gerry Duffy] that each season when he had qualified for one of the top individual trophies and was at or close to the top of the averages that he would take off to Ballybunion for a holiday. This of course was only a tall tale - Gerry’s holidays were arranged well in advance without reference to the averages - but it serves to remind us that very few cricketers [whatever they say] do not cast the occasional eye to their averages.
So who is in with a chance for personal honours this season. First the rules [which are interpreted by the Open Competitions Committee]. The Senior Averages includes all completed matches [of whatever length] played as part of the Leinster Premier League, Division 2 League and Senior Cup. Perhaps unfairly performances in Irish Senior Cup matches are not included. Also the Alan Murray T20 Competition has its own separate averages - despite refixes on league games being in the T20 format.
Only Irish qualified players can win individual awards, but of course those not qualified can still top the averages.
The qualification for consideration has varied over the years as the number and types of matches changed. The relevant thresholds for the top three leagues as of the start of the season are:
Batting 500 runs
Bowling30 wickets [although this can be reduced by OCC]
WKHighest number of dismissals
All RounderHighest number of points [scheme is normally 20 per wicket / dismissal by wicket keeper and one per run].
FielderMost catches
Trophies
Premier
Marchant Cup [Batting]
O’Grady [Bowling]
Hopkins [Wicket Keeping]
Samuels [All Rounder]
Solomons [Catches: out - fielder]
Division 2
Richard Bruton [Batting]
Dick Clarke [Bowling]
Ralph Satchwell [Wicket Keeping]
Robert Ellis [All Rounders]
Arthur Vincent [Catches: out - fielder]
Division 3
Bookman [Batting
Oulton [Bowling]
Webster [All Rounder]
Carmel Cullen [Wicket Keeping]
The regulations can be read in full at http://direct.cricketleinster.ie/media/Guidance/245_individual-performance-awards/245_individual-performance-awards-06922269.pdf
These may change if no one reaches the threshold and with a couple of fewer matches in D2 this is something that the OCC may want to consider.
With three rounds of league matches to play and two games outstanding in the LSC - the current position is as follows.