Batting all-rounder Phoebe Franklin has been voted PCA Player of the Month for May after producing a blistering run of form in domestic cricket.
She was shortlisted through the PCA’s Most Valuable Player Rankings for her performances in the month of May as the top four players in the men’s and women’s game faced a public vote to decide the winner.
Franklin had a month to remember which included scoring her maiden professional half-century that came against The Blaze as well as picking up two Match MVP accolades.
Franklin, with 39% of the fan vote, becomes the second Stars player to win the coveted trophy this season, following Paige Scholfield’s success in April. The all-rounder won a closely contested poll ahead of Western Storm’s Danielle Gibson who received 24%, with Franklin’s captain Bryony Smith and Thunder’s Emma Lamb third and fourth respectively.
The all-rounder scored 187 runs at an average of 26.7 and was equally impressive with the ball, averaging 20.3 runs for each of her eight wickets in May.
Creating headlines in both the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and Charlotte Edwards Cup, Franklin’s standout efforts saw her produce figures of 3-18 to help dismiss Sunrisers for 64 and hitting 53 off 43 and taking 1-19 against The Blaze.
The 25-year-old received her award on the field ahead of the Stars’ final 20-over game of the campaign on Wednesday and explained her joy upon receiving the trophy.
Franklin said: “I would say my favourite performance of May was between two. We played Sunrisers at Radlett in a reduced-overs game and I was pretty happy with how I performed with the bat and to be able to get a few wickets early on to set the team up for the win which was enjoyable. Then the T20 game against The Blaze, unfortunately, we ended up on the losing side, but I did score my first professional 50, which was pleasing.
“I was really happy when I got told I had won the PCA Player of the Month as I was up against three nominees who also had a really good month so to be awarded this means a lot.
“With most of May being T20s, I feel like I’ve put in performances with bat and ball to help contribute to some team wins and some unfortunate close losses but personally I am pleased with how I am going this season.
“When 50-over cricket comes back around next month we’re going to hopefully chase that trophy down. Before then we will have a little bit of time off skills-wise but it’s definitely a time to recharge and hit the second period of the season the best we can.”
In the men’s category, Matthew Montgomery secured 41% of the vote, ahead of Somerset’s Craig Overton with 23% while Surrey’s Sean Abbott was third and Hampshire captain James Vince in fourth.
