Terang’s Keane and Bookaar’s Baker tied for the title of South West Cricket’s Cricketer of the Year with 13 votes apiece at the end of last night’s presentation evening at Noorat Community Centre.

The two long-time players had both previously won the association’s best and fairest title three times and were again humbled by their shared victory.

Keane had a stellar season, scoring 210 runs in division one at an average of 35 per game as well as securing 27 wickets.

He will be hoping to save his best figures for this weekend when Terang faces Noorat in the all-important association grand final.

Keane’s most impressive face-off was against Pomborneit in round 11 when he put together a 71-run unbeaten performance.

The veteran was just as impressive with the ball, taking 27 wickets for the season at a miserly average of seven.

“It’s all very unex­pected,” he said.

“We’ve had a good season but I missed a few games during the year, so I didn’t think I was in with a chance.”

“There hasn’t been much difference between the top four so this year’s final was open to all those sides and they’ve just had to work hard for it in the final stages.”

Keane’s biggest wicket haul was against Pomborneit in round three when he claimed 5-17.

He played one division two match but was a vital part of the team in nine division one contests.

Baker also had a consistent season, scoring 615 runs at an average of 51.3 per game to collect SWC’s batting aggregate award.

The bowling aggregate was taken out by Noorat’s Warren Attrill.

Baker started off as a middle-order batsman but was brought forward to become opening batsman later in the season after scoring 113 runs in round 10 against Noorat.

He said it was disappointing Bookaar had not made the cut for this weekend’s grand final but he held hopes for premiership glory in 2011.

“I’ve had a pretty consistent season and it’s always an honour to get the title,” Baker said.

“I suppose it’s some small consolation after missing out on the final.

“I think Terang will be going into the final as a favourite given they’ve had a pretty good run, although Noorat have shown a lot of determination.

“It will be a good game whatever the result.”