By Jon Steer
September 21 2005

Dale Benkenstein was named as Durham County Cricket Club's player of the year on Monday. The South African finished as Durham's top run scorer with over 1100 championship runs. He also won the Leading Batsman Award and the Player's Player of the Year. 2005 was Benkenstein's first season with the club and saw him take on the role of captain when Mike Hussey and Paul Collingwood were away on international duty. Across all competitions Benkenstein hit four centuries and nine half centuries with a top score of 162 not out. He also took 32 wickets in the season, including 11 in the Twenty20 cup.

Mark Davies was named as the Leading Bowler of the season despite again missing a significant part of it through injury. He finished with 47 championship wickets at an average of just 15.55. Liam Plunkett passed Davies total in the final match of the season reaching 51 championship wickets which earned him the Young Player of the Year Award as well as selection for the National Academy and a call up to the England squad for the one day tour of Pakistan.

The Top Fielder of the Year Award went to Paul Collingwood despite a concerted challenge from last year's winner Gary Pratt who has become a household name thanks to his dismissal of Ricky Ponting during the Ashes series.

Benkenstein currently leads the Down By the Riverside poll for the fans player of the season with over 50% of the vote. If you haven't voted yet use the options on the right to make your choice.