Adam Burns and Andrew Smith.
THE Bendigo District Cricket Association last night had its first three-way tie in its Cricketer of the Year Award.
All-rounders Andrew Smith (Eaglehawk), Scott Johnson (Golden Square) and Adam Burns (Kangaroo Flat) all polled 18 votes to tie for the BDCA’s most prestigious award at the league’s presentation night at the Kangaroo Flat Sports Club.
The star trio are also all previous winners of the award, with Smith having won in 2011, Johnson in 2009 and 2001, and Burns in 2004.
With his third win last night, Johnson joins only Eaglehawk’s Wayne Walsh as a three-time winner of the Cricketer of the Year Award, which was first presented in 1976.
In a thrilling count, the trio of winners wasn’t decided until the final vote of the night.
Burns and Johnson had entered the final round on 18 votes, with Smith three votes back on 15.
Burns and Johnson weren’t awarded any votes in the final round, while Smith duly picked up the three for his double of 56 and 6-34 against Bendigo to force the three-way tie.
The round 14 match was one of seven games Smith polled in, and one of five matches in which he was awarded the maximum three votes.
Johnson’s 18 votes came from six games where he polled three votes, while Burns received votes in eight games, including four three-vote matches.
Last night’s presentation evening also included the induction of Tim Rodda, Darren Rodda and Greg Lyon, who is still playing with Strathfieldsaye, into the BDCA’s Hall of Fame.
● First XI winners’ season stats:
Andrew Smith – 461 runs and 34 wickets.
Scott Johnson – 599 runs and 27 wickets.
Adam Burns – 545 runs and 33 wickets.