WORCESTERSHIRE batsman Tom Fell’s sporting behaviour during the Specsavers County Championship match with Sussex at Hove has won him the 2016 Christopher Martin Jenkins Spirit of Cricket Award.

The 22-year-old becomes the fourth winner of the award after Derbyshire’s Wayne Madsen (2013), Sussex’s Luke Wright (2014) and former New Zealand captain Brendon McCulum (2015).

The award was created by Marylebone Cricket Club and the BBC in memory of former MCC President and BBC Test Match Special commentator Martin-Jenkins, who died in January 2013.

Fell’s conduct on the third and final day at Hove was recognised by a judging panel of MCC and BBC representatives.

Sussex were in the middle of chasing a 272 target when Fell completed a diving stop on the boundary and returned the ball to the wicketkeeper.

But the former Oakham School pupil then signalled to the umpires that his foot had been in contact with the rope when he collected the ball and that four runs should be signalled.

Worcestershire went onto win the game by 11 runs - their fifth win in the competition - to keep alive their hopes of finishing runners-up in Division Two.

MCC chief executive Derek Brewer paid tribute to Fell and said: “Tom (Fell) is fully deserving of this award in light of his actions against Sussex.

“MCC works hard to promote the ‘Play Hard, Play Fair’ message through the Spirit of Cricket at all levels of the game.

“So it is very encouraging to see professionals like Tom setting such a good example.”

Meanwhile, all-rounder Alex Hepburn finished as Worcestershire’s leading run-scorer in the Second Eleven Championship for the 2016 campaign.

Hepburn, who took over the captaincy of the side following George Rhodes promotion to the senior side, scored 567 runs at an average of 43.62.

Opener Ollie Westbury was the next most prolific batsman with 499 runs at an average of 38.38.

He also made a debut to remember for England Under-19s with 196 in the first Test against Sri Lanka Under-19s at Fenners.