WORCESTERSHIRE has three players in the top 20 of the latest Professional Cricketers’ Association Most Valuable Player (PCA MVP) rankings for the top flight.

Following the completion of the first block of matches in 2018, Ed Barnard is the county's top performer in seventh thanks to a good start with bat and ball.

Not far behind is skipper Joe Leach in 11th after wicket-laced start to the season, accumulating 105.82 points at an average of 21.16.

Josh Tongue’s career-best match figures of nine wickets for 98 runs versus Essex at New Road propelled him into 17th place with 94.63 points at 18.93.

Joe Clarke, who has 74.60 points at 14.92, is the other Worcestershire player currently inside the top 50.

Former Worcestershire paceman Matt Henry is holding the number one position after a fine start to his debut season with Kent.

The New Zealander, who spent a successful first half of the 2016 campaign with the club, is well clear with 173.96 points at 43.49.

The PCA MVP rankings system identifies the match winners and key influencers of outcomes throughout the domestic season.

The formula takes into account conditions, quality of opposition, captaincy and strike-rates as well as runs scored and wickets taken.