TEAM OF THE YEAR

ECB DOMESTIC JOURNALISM AWARDS - REGIONAL NEWSPAPER OF THE YEAR

- BY TOM EVANS

It's that time again... one player from each ECB Premier Division club, with a sub, in a relatively balanced XI (not too many spinners).

he was only dismissed twice before reaching 50. Four of his five league centuries were unbeaten, leaving him with an average of over 100. And he was the 13th highest wicket taker in the league too, which is frankly just showing off. Leigh finished third, a level below the top two, but McKiernan was a class apart from all his peers.

1 lan Cockbain FOR

973 runs @ 69.50, 3x100, 6x50; 10 catches

At their best, Formby had the most imposing top order in the division - and the captain was the main reason for that. Peerless through the offside in particular, the crack of his bat once he passed 20 was an ominous sound for even the best attacks. He possibly saved his best for the cups, leading Formby to the regional T20 title and the Lancashire Cup final, but there were plenty of highlights in the league too - notably a match-winning 140 at Northern, a run of five 50+ scores in his first six innings and a modern era record of 188* at his old club, Firwood Bootle. Capable of stunning slip catches too and one of several first names on the teamsheet.

2 Calum Turner ORM

981 runs @ 49.05 2x100, 7x50; 6 wickets @ 15.33; 9 catches, 1 runout

There were plenty of contenders from the triple champions and national knockout winners, as you might expect. Captain Gary Knight was firmly pencilled in until Turner's late-season form made him impossible to ignore. From July onwards, when he had his hair bleached as a fantasy football forfeit, Turner's flashing blade plundered 912 runs in all competitions. And he saved the best for last - a demolition-job 134* from 85 balls against Wallasey to kick off Ormskirk’s title-clinching weekend, followed seven days later by a superb 111 at Lord's to bring home the biggest prize in club cricket.

3 Ben Walkden NLW