Bird again heads the pecking order for Ponting Medal

EVERGREEN seamer Jackson Bird has claimed back-to-back Ricky Ponting Medals after another outstanding summer spearheading the Tasmanian attack.

The 34-year-old was again a dominant force in both the Sheffield Shield and one-day arenas in 2020-21, showcasing his immense talents with both the red and white balls.

Bird finished the Shield campaign as the second leading wicket-taker (35 wickets at 22.1) behind Test spinner Nathan Lyon, and also led the Tigers with the white ball, snaring 10 wickets at 24.2.

His improved batting was also a factor, scoring consecutive half-centuries to finish the

Shield campaign, improving his highest score to 64 against Western Australia in Perth.

The highlight of his season was a superb 7-18 to help rout the Blues for just 32, the fourth lowest score in Shield history.

The female player of the year award concluded in thrilling fashion, with Australian star Nicola Carey tying with firstyear Tiger, Heather Graham.

The all-rounders both took 11 WNCL wickets and had run totals of 285 and 284 respectively.

Carey set the tone for the season with a maiden WNCL century. Graham also notched a ton against NSW in Hobart.

Graham finished the season with a five-wicket haul with the ball, including a hat-trick.

Jordan Silk was crowned the Jack Simmons Medallist for one-day player of the year, edging out Tom Andrews by four votes — with the latter named joint player of the tournament alongside David Warner.

Jake Doran won the David Boon Medal (Shield player of the year), while Scott Boland and Rachel Priest took home the Hobart Hurricanes’ best player awards.

adam.j.smith@news.com.au