CRICKETER Jack Brooks is hoping it will be third time lucky at the Oxfordshire Sports Awards tomorrow, writes MATTHEW BRUCE.

The 30-year-old Yorkshire seamer, from Tiddington, has been shortlisted for the Sportsman of the Year award for the third time in his career, having twice missed out.

But after enjoying a fantastic season in which he claimed 68 wickets to help his side win the LV= County Championship Division 1, as well as earning a call-up for England Lions, Brooks was delighted to be recognised in his home county.

He said: “When I’ve been nominated before it was off the back of my first pro contract back in 2008 and then in 2012 when I had a really good year and got myself into the England Lions for the first time.

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“This year I feel like I’ve actually achieved something; I’ve won a championship medal and I’ve had a really good season, taking a lot of wickets.

“I’m the leading English bowler in Division 1, so I feel like I’m more deserving in terms of the nomination this time.”

He added: “The two previous times I’ve lost out to Olympic gold medallists, which you can’t really complain about.”

His career at the top levels of the game may have taken him away from the area, but Brooks remains proud of his Oxfordshire roots.

“I always make it known that I’m from Oxfordshire and it’s nice to still have that association,” he said.

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