Graham bags coveted gong ahead of grand final

Wanderers’ Ross Graham has joined a select list in winning the 2014-15 Cricketer of the Year Award.

The race was wide open going into the final round but six-time champion and teammate Shayne Bidwell had a narrow lead over Graham.

Most, Graham included, expected Bidwell to prevail but he had a quiet day.

Wanderers fielded first and Graham’s three wickets and two catches lifted him to 654 points — 10 ahead of Bidwell, who took one wicket.

When Wanderers batted, Graham made 42 to extend his advantage to 52 points but Bidwell still had to bat.

Bidwell needed 53 but fell for three. To keep it interesting, Bruce Gillingham was on 12 when Bidwell departed.

Had Gillingham made 114, he would have won.

But he made 59, enough to displace Bidwell from second but leaving Graham the winner.

“It’s a great honour but it came down to the wire and there’s no doubt Shayne was the deserved favourite, ” Graham said.

“But I got some wickets and a couple of catches as well — I only had two catches for the season until today — so that turned out well and then I made some runs.”

Graham is looking ahead to the grand final on March 21.

“To win the premiership is what it’s about but it all comes down to the day, ” he said.

“We’ll be confident but how it ends up is an unknown.”