Kent's Matt Coles during their tour game against the South Africans game at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury, Kent, 13th July 2012.

Vote for Matt Coles to win award

Kent all-rounder Matt Coles has been short-listed for the LV= County Championship Breakthrough Player Award.

Coles started the season in blistering form, which has since earned him a place in the England Lions squad and helped propel Kent up the table in LV= CC Division Two.

He is one of six players on the list for the award, which aims to celebrate the most promising young player in the county game.

Cole’s competition includes Yorkshire’s Gary Ballance and Joe Root, Derbyshire top-order batsman Dan Redfern, Lancashire spin-bowler Simon Kerrigan and Surrey fast bowler Stuart Meaker.

A four-man panel comprising LV= ambassador and ex-England bowler Darren Gough, former England captain and current managing director of partnerships at the ECB Mike Gatting, PCA chairman and Worcestershire batsman Vikram Solanki and cricket writer John Stern selected the short-list.

Gatting said: “It’s been a great county championship season so far and these six players really stood out for the panel. I sincerely hope that these players continue to perform and go on to play for England Lions and England in the coming years.”

The winner will be decided by an internet vote, which is open until Sunday, September 2. To vote for Coles, visit www.LV.com/cricket.

The player with the highest number of nominations will receive a commemorative TAG Heuer watch engraved to recognise their achievement and a £1,000 donation will be made to grassroots cricket.