The Cricketer claims two victories at Domestic Journalism Awards

The Cricketer's website has won the Outstanding Coverage of Domestic Cricket award for the third year in a row, while Nick Friend has been named Christopher Martin-Jenkins Young Journalist of the Year

The Cricketer has claimed dual success at the ECB Domestic Journalism Awards.

Our website has won the Outstanding Coverage of Domestic Cricket title for the third consecutive year, while reporter Nick Friend has been named Christopher Martin-Jenkins Young Journalist of the Year.

The awards, which seek to celebrate the coverage of the domestic game in England and Wales across all media, are judged by a panel of prominent journalists.

The judges’ review of our entry read: “The Cricketer has become the go-to place for county cricket followers, combining a passion for the game with ambition, innovation and integrity. 

“In its growing range of imaginative features, news stories and match coverage it is developing a knowledgeable and independent online voice which has good journalism at its core. 

“In a difficult year, the staging of the Quarantine Cup – a tournament based on the video game Cricket 19 – was an uplifting and energetic response to the Covid-19 lockdown.

BBC Sport was commended in the same category.

Friend, meanwhile, was praised by the judges for his “excellent approach to storytelling” and “an obvious passion for his work”.

His entry included an enlightening feature on Maros Kolpak, the Slovakian handball player who gave rise to a contractual loophole; a deep read on the rise of Worcestershire’s white-ball squad; and conversations with some of the 41 female players who became professional for the first time. 

The judges’ comments continued: “We were particularly impressed with his diligence and the commitment he showed to every story, as well as the maturity and polish of his writing.

“His hard work and deep understanding of his subject really shone through.”

The Cricketer’s digital editor, Sam Morshead, said: “We are delighted to have enjoyed success in two categories in this year’s awards.

Maros Kolpak: The man who unwittingly changed county cricket

And it all went Pear-shaped: How Worcestershire became a white-ball force

For 41 female cricketers, the professional dream has become a reality

“Our stated mission over the past three years has been to provide the go-to service for county cricket fans online and it was incredibly rewarding for the whole team to see that aim recognised by the judges.

“It is testament to the hard work, innovation and ingenuity of our team that we continue to tell a vast range of stories about the domestic game, ensuring that we shine a light on as many aspects of the sport in this country as possible.

“Nick has been a huge part of that effort during such a trying year, and the judges rightly identified his passion for everything he does.

“It will be quite the challenge to defend our title for a fourth successive year, but with the launch of our Hundred Hub for coverage of the ECB’s newest tournament, and the widest-ranging domestic women’s coverage we have ever attempted, we will certainly give it our best shot.”

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