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Brown’s top prize in cricket photography awards

From the England and Wales Cricket Board
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Veuve Cliquot, the Official Champagne of the England Cricket Team, have announced that freelance sports photographer Philip Brown has won the inaugural Veuve Clicquot England Cricket Photography Awards for his picture of Ravi Bopara taken during the winter series in the Caribbean.

The winner was announced by the Chariman of the ECB, Giles Clarke, on the pitch at Lord’s during the tea interval of the 1st npower Test Match against West Indies.

For winning this award Philip Brown received £5,000 and a Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Methuselah engraved with his name. Paul Thomas, who was awarded second place, picked up £2,000 and a Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Jeroboam whilst Richard Heathcote received £1,000 and a Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Magnum for third place.

Stuart Robinson was awarded a Highly Commended for his photograph of Kevin Pietersen taken during the npower Test Series against South Africa last summer

The Award is designed to showcase the best in cricket photography and was open to all ECB accredited photographers. The judging panel included Nigel Davies, Art Director of the Wisden Cricketer, Andrew Walpole, ECB’s International Teams Media Relations Manager and Melanie Boury, Senior Brand Manager, Veuve Clicquot. The photographs were assesed without the identity of the photographer being known and the criteria were for good composition, creativity and technical skill.

Melanie Boury, Senior Brand Manager, Veuve Clicquot said: “The panel was impressed by the great mix of adventure, excitement, appreciation of the game, anticipation and touch of humour all the entrants exhibited. We are delighted that in its first year the award has gone to Philip Brown, a photographer who is so well respected within the world of cricket and believe this is a great start to what promises to be a fantastic season.”

Philip Brown said: “I’m absolutely delighted to receive this award especially as there are so many talented sports photographers that work in cricket. I would also like to thank Veuve Clicquot for creating this competition and recognising the work done by the photographers in helping to promote English cricket.”

Notes to editors:
Further questions, please contact

ECB Communications Dept
Tel: 0207 432 1200.


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