The award has been introduced this season as a joint initiative of the Highlands District Cricket Association and the Highlands District Cricket Umpires Association and has been well received in local cricket circles in promoting the spirit of the game.

HDCA chairman Jeff Mitchell was delighted to have secured the Bradman Foundation as a sponsor of the award.

The Foundation would provide a perpetual trophy and support funding for the winners to be presented at the end-of-season presentation function.

Executive director of the Foundation said she had no hesitation in sponsoring the award.

“The Foundation is delighted by this initiative by the Highlands District Cricket Association and has no hesitation in supporting this award,” Hore said.

“The Sprit of Cricket Award aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s objectives to promote the character building traits and values that cricket delivers.”

With three rounds of the competition remaining Bowral and Wingello clubs are locked in a race to see who will be the inaugural winner, while Moss Vale could also mount a late challenge.

Umpires award the points on a match-by-match basis and are pleased to have noted an overall improvement in player behaviour and proper cricket etiquette, something of which The Don would have approved!

The competition to decide the local game’s best player is also closely contested with Robertson duo, Nathan Wright and Ben Buffett, battling it out while Justin Rawlings from Tully Park and Moss Vale’s Troy Brown.