Man of the match
Encyclopedia
In sport
, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket
before being adopted by other sports. This can be a player from either team, usually the winning team. In professional sports
, such as cricket, the award itself may involve cash, a trophy, or a celebratory magnum of champagne, but in amateur sports
, especially collegiate sports in the United States
, such material prizes are often forbidden and the award is purely honorary.
Some sports have unique traditions regarding these sorts of awards, and they are especially sought after in championship or all-star matches
. In some sports organisations and leagues, particularly in the United States, the term "Most Valuable Player
" (MVP) is used for some of these awards, while in Australia, "Best and Fairest
" is used. In ice hockey
, three players of the game instead of only one, called the "three stars
", are recognised.
this phenomenon is not seen. In ODI, Sachin Tendulkar
holds the record for maximum number of Man of the match titles, followed by Sanath Jayasuriya
.
, or goalkeepers who keep a clean sheet under resounding pressure often get the award. Hat trick scorers usually receive the match ball whether or not they are officially named man of the match. However, not all tournaments/leagues have an official man of the match award, so sometimes accolades are given by websites/newspapers instead.
, the player of the game is often referred to as having been the "best on ground" (or "BOG"). Media outlets provide immediate, unofficial recognition that is largely honorary, often on a 5–4–3–2–1 or 3–2–1 voting basis. Officially, the AFL
recognises the player of the game as being the player awarded the maximum three votes by umpires in the Brownlow Medal
count at season's end. Exceptions are made during the season for certain reserved games such as the Western Derby
, The ANZAC Day clash
, and Showdown
, where medallions are officially rewarded in presentations following the conclusion of the match.
and rugby union
, the player who wins the award is usually the person who has performed consistently well throughout the game. In televised or sponsored matches, the commentator or company sponsoring the event usually decides who gets the award, and it is presented to the winner after the match. Man of the match is a bigger award in rugby than most other sports, because forwards and other players who rarely score points will often win it.
and college football
, the two collegiate sports with the most television coverage in the United States, a top player from each team is usually honored as "players of the game." These athletes usually cannot collect material prizes due to NCAA
regulations. Instead, television companies broadcasting the game or corporate sponsors will often make donations to the scholarship
funds of each school in the names of the winning players.
, the three players who perform best in the game, often either those who accumulate the most points or outstanding goaltenders, are usually designated the Three stars of the game: the top-performing player is the first star, and so on. This tradition originated in the 1930s as a promotion for a "Three Star" brand of gasolinehttp://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/top10/hockeygimmicks.html#threestars.
Sport
A Sport is all forms of physical activity which, through casual or organised participation, aim to use, maintain or improve physical fitness and provide entertainment to participants. Sport may be competitive, where a winner or winners can be identified by objective means, and may require a degree...
, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
before being adopted by other sports. This can be a player from either team, usually the winning team. In professional sports
Professional sports
Professional sports, as opposed to amateur sports, are sports in which athletes receive payment for their performance. Professional athleticism has come to the fore through a combination of developments. Mass media and increased leisure have brought larger audiences, so that sports organizations...
, such as cricket, the award itself may involve cash, a trophy, or a celebratory magnum of champagne, but in amateur sports
Amateur sports
Amateur sports are sports in which participants engage largely or entirely without remuneration. Sporting amateurism was a zealously guarded ideal in the 19th century, especially among the upper classes, but faced steady erosion throughout the 20th century with the continuing growth of pro sports...
, especially collegiate sports in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, such material prizes are often forbidden and the award is purely honorary.
Some sports have unique traditions regarding these sorts of awards, and they are especially sought after in championship or all-star matches
All-star game
An all-star game is an exhibition game played by the best players in their sports league, except in the circumstances of professional sports systems in which a democratic voting system is used...
. In some sports organisations and leagues, particularly in the United States, the term "Most Valuable Player
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
" (MVP) is used for some of these awards, while in Australia, "Best and Fairest
Best and Fairest
Best and Fairest is the term commonly used in Australian sport to describe the player adjudged to have had the best performance in a game or over a season for a given sporting club or competition while not receiving a suspension for misconduct or breaching the rules during that season.In the...
" is used. In ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, three players of the game instead of only one, called the "three stars
Three stars (ice hockey)
In ice hockey, the three stars of a match are the three best players as chosen by a third party, with the first star considered the best of the three players, akin to the man of the match in other sports. Usually, the top point scorers or outstanding goaltenders are designated the three stars, but...
", are recognised.
Cricket
In cricket, the Man of the match title is usually awarded to the player whose contribution is seen as the most critical in winning the game. However, there have been many instances when the performance of the losing team's player has earned him the award. Test cricket has witnessed rare instances when a joint award for Man of the match or Man of the series has been announced. However in ODIs and Twenty20Twenty20
Twenty20 is a form of cricket, originally introduced in England for professional inter-county competition by the England and Wales Cricket Board , in 2003. A Twenty20 game involves two teams, each has a single innings, batting for a maximum of 20 overs. Twenty20 cricket is also known as T20 cricket...
this phenomenon is not seen. In ODI, Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar is an Indian cricketer widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He is the leading run-scorer and century maker in Test and one-day international cricket. He is the only male player to score a double century in the history of ODI cricket...
holds the record for maximum number of Man of the match titles, followed by Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Teran Jayasuriya is a former Sri Lankan cricketer. An all-rounder, he played for the Sri Lankan cricket team from 1989 to 2011...
.
Association football
In football, the award typically goes to a player on the winning side. Players who score a brace or a hat trickHat Trick
Hat trick, hat-trick or hattrick may refer to:* hat-trick — in various sports, achieving three goals, wickets, etc. in a single match* Hattrick — online football management game** Hattrick Limited — producers of this game...
, or goalkeepers who keep a clean sheet under resounding pressure often get the award. Hat trick scorers usually receive the match ball whether or not they are officially named man of the match. However, not all tournaments/leagues have an official man of the match award, so sometimes accolades are given by websites/newspapers instead.
Australian rules football
In Australian rules footballAustralian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
, the player of the game is often referred to as having been the "best on ground" (or "BOG"). Media outlets provide immediate, unofficial recognition that is largely honorary, often on a 5–4–3–2–1 or 3–2–1 voting basis. Officially, the AFL
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
recognises the player of the game as being the player awarded the maximum three votes by umpires in the Brownlow Medal
Brownlow Medal
The Chas Brownlow Trophy, better known as the Brownlow Medal , is awarded to the "fairest and best" player in the Australian Football League during the regular season as determined by votes cast by the officiating field umpires after each game...
count at season's end. Exceptions are made during the season for certain reserved games such as the Western Derby
Western Derby
The Western Derby is the name given to the Australian rules football rivalry match between the Fremantle Football Club and West Coast Eagles, who both participate in the Australian Football League . As both teams are based in Western Australia, the term 'derby' is used to describe the...
, The ANZAC Day clash
The ANZAC Day clash
The Anzac Day clash is an annual Australian rules football match between Australian Football League teams Collingwood and Essendon, held on Anzac Day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground .-Early history of Australian rules on Anzac Day:...
, and Showdown
Showdown (AFL)
The Showdown is a term used to refer to the derby match between local rivals the Adelaide Crows and Port Adelaide in the sport of Australian rules football in the Australian Football League .-Background:...
, where medallions are officially rewarded in presentations following the conclusion of the match.
Rugby league and rugby union
In both codes of rugby, rugby leagueRugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
and rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
, the player who wins the award is usually the person who has performed consistently well throughout the game. In televised or sponsored matches, the commentator or company sponsoring the event usually decides who gets the award, and it is presented to the winner after the match. Man of the match is a bigger award in rugby than most other sports, because forwards and other players who rarely score points will often win it.
United States college basketball and football
In college basketballCollege basketball
College basketball most often refers to the USA basketball competitive governance structure established by the National Collegiate Athletic Association . Basketball in the NCAA is divided into three divisions: Division I, Division II and Division III....
and college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
, the two collegiate sports with the most television coverage in the United States, a top player from each team is usually honored as "players of the game." These athletes usually cannot collect material prizes due to NCAA
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
regulations. Instead, television companies broadcasting the game or corporate sponsors will often make donations to the scholarship
Scholarship
A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...
funds of each school in the names of the winning players.
Hockey
In ice hockeyIce hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
, the three players who perform best in the game, often either those who accumulate the most points or outstanding goaltenders, are usually designated the Three stars of the game: the top-performing player is the first star, and so on. This tradition originated in the 1930s as a promotion for a "Three Star" brand of gasolinehttp://www.cbc.ca/sports/columns/top10/hockeygimmicks.html#threestars.