Ashdown snaps up a hat-trick

DAVID ASHDOWN, the Independent's chief sports photographer, yesterday won his third major award this year.

His photograph (left) of the England batsman Mark Ramprakash tracking a delivery from the fast bowler Nixon McLean was selected as the best picture of the series against West Indies in the Caribbean earlier this year.

The competition was sponsored by Vodafone, who also back the England cricket team, and was open to all British photographers who covered the series.

The award completed a notable hat-trick for Ashdown, following his success in being named as the UK Press Gazette's Sports Photographer of the Year and his winning of the Sports Council's Best Portfolio title.