Ryan ten Doeschate is officially the top cricketer in the country.

The Essex all-rounder has won the monthly FTI MVP award for May, after a month littered with runs, wickets and devastating performances.

Throughout May the Dutchman scored 535 runs, including a blistering 109 from 62 balls to help Essex to a Clydesdale Bank 40 victory over Derbyshire and four half centuries in the LV=County Championship.

With the ball ten Doeschate took 16 wickets, including 4-71 during Kent’s first innings in the LV= County Championship game at Chelmsford.

The 29-year-old finished the month top of the leader board with a total of 248 points, ahead of April’s winner Neil Carter, of Warwickshire.

He told the Gazette: “It’s tight at the top of the table at the moment and competition is fierce.

“The rankings are a great judge of performance and I just hope I can keep my form going and stay in pole position.

“I have enjoyed a consistent season so far and the club has shown a lot of confidence in me which has given me plenty of belief.

“I have matured as a player and I am far more relaxed now.”

Ten Doeschate’s form has been such that he has moved up to number five in Essex’s Championship batting order, replacing captain Mark Pettini, who has dropped down to number seven.

He failed to make an impact in Essex’s draw against Hampshire, but his display in their opening Friends Provident t20 match against Kent, in which he scored 98 off 47 balls, suggests there is plenty more to come.

Popular among Essex fans, and with his captain for his all-round ability, ten Doeschate is in the prime of his career, having made his debut for the club back in 2003.