Ian Bell has held off competition from his England team mates to scoop the FTI Most Valuable Player award for the summer of 2012.

The Warwickshire batsman beat Stuart Broad to the award by 26 points after scoring runs all summer and despite not competing in either t20 Series.

Bell, 30, began the year in fine fettle hitting three fifties in Tests against the West Indies, before contributing a century and another fifty against the same opposition in one day internationals.

He then plundered 41, 75 and 69 in the white wash of Australia, two more fifties in Tests against South Africa and scores of 45 and 88 against them in one day fixtures.

All told, he amassed 366 Test runs –12 per cent of England’s total - and 549 ODI runs, or just over a quarter of the total they put on the board.

His strike rates were 0.40 and 0.83 respectively and helped him earn over 36 more FTI MVP batting points than ODI captain Alastair Cook and over 60 points more than third place Jonathan Trott.

He said: “I’m delighted to have won the FTI MVP after a long summer of tough cricket. It’s great to be recognised with an award which compares you to your peers.

“It’s not been the easiest summer by any stretch of the imagination, but I’ve been pretty happy with my own form in both Tests and ODIs.

“I’d like to have converted more fifties into hundreds and hopefully I can do that this winter after a bit of a break. But I’m confident and very keen to keep contributing to the cause.”

As well as the accolade, Bell receives a cheque for £5,000 from sponsors FTI Consulting, which he has generously split between the PCA Benevolent Fund and The Acorn Children’s Hospice.

When the rankings are broken down by game format, the Warwickshire batsman was also the most Valuable ODI player whilst Broad took the honours in Tests and Steven Finn in t20 internationals.

He also weighed in with seven catches this summer which ensured he is now eighth overall in the life-time table for the PCA-run rankings system, first introduced in 2006.

Kieron Smith, Senior Vice President, FTI Consulting said: “Ian Bell has once again proven that he is now one of England’s best batsman and that he has taken on more responsibility within the team as one of a group of senior players.

“His consistent accumulation throughout the summer has contributed greatly to the victories over the West Indies and Australia. His experience and maturity will be vital to the team in India and New Zealand over the winter.”

The FTI MVP rankings reward players for every run scored, every wicket taken and every catch held. There are also bonuses awarded to those whose runs and wickets contribute to a win for the team, with captains earning points for their command of the side.

Bowlers receive higher marks for among other things good economy rates, bowling maidens and for dismissing batsmen higher up the order. They can also win bonus points for five or more dismissals in an innings.

In addition, batting points are handed out for high run rates and the percentage of the team’s runs each batsman contributes. Fielding points are awarded for catches, run outs and stumpings.

OVERALL ENGLAND FTI MVP POINTS SUMMER 2012

PLAYER	BATTING	BOWLING	FIELD	CAPT.	WINS	PLD	PTS	AVERAGE
Ian Bell	173.40	0.00	7	0	10.0	16	190	11.90
Stuart Broad	22.82	125.68	3	2	10.0	15	164	10.90
Alastair Cook	136.91	0.00	7	8	10.0	16	162	10.12
James Anderson	5.58	125.56	9	0	9.0	14	150	10.72
Steven Finn	3.54	127.33	3	0	9.0	15	143	9.52
Tim Bresnan	12.77	114.19	7	0	8.0	12	142	11.83
Jonathan Trott	112.36	0.99	2	0	10.0	15	125	8.36
Graeme Swann	26.45	82.24	8	0	8.0	14	125	8.91
Craig Kieswetter	44.50	0.00	51	0	10.0	14	106	7.54
Ravi Bopara	62.97	26.24	2	0	9.0	13	100	7.71