Craig Overton and Sophie Luff win Professional Cricketers’ Association awards

Somerset pair Craig Overton and Sophie Luff have received the highest prizes on the Professional Cricketers’ Association awards.

Overton, the boys’s participant of the yr, had a stellar season throughout codecs as Somerset simply missed out on a primary County Championship title and reached the semi-finals of the T20 Blast.

Luff turns into the primary winner of the ladies’s participant of the yr award to not have performed transnational cricket since 2021. As properly as very good kind in county cricket, the 32-year-old was a part of the Trent Rockets workforce that received The Hundred.

Pace bowler Sonny Baker and left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman received the 2 younger participant of the yr awards.

All-rounder Overton, 32, scored three first-class lots of and averaged lower than 20 with the ball within the County Championship.

His kind has led to speak of a recall to the England workforce to fill the emptiness left by Ben Stokes, 4 years after he received the final of his eight Test caps.

Overton beat off different shortlisted nominees Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence.

“It’s an outstanding feeling,” stated Overton. “To be chosen by your friends to win this award may be very particular, it means a lot to me.

“I felt like I acquired in a groove the place my physique was in a great place, not 100% due to the schedule, however mentally I felt like I used to be in an ideal spot to have the ability to exit and carry out when video games come alongside close to sufficient each different day.”

Somerset captain Luff scored greater than 1,000 runs throughout codecs in the course of the summer time, together with averaging in extra of 40 within the One-Day Cup.

Luff triumphed forward of three internationals on the shortlist – Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley and Mady Villiers.

“I’ve all the time been a pacesetter that desires to guide from the entrance, however I believe persons are seeing that play out in video games now,” stated Luff. “I believe this yr I’ve simply showcased what I’m able to.

“I’ve had a brand new position at Somerset opening the batting and it is protected to say it is gone fairly properly and I’ve in all probability unlocked one thing to convey the most effective out of me as a participant. I’m so grateful to all my team-mates and coaches at Somerset which have supported me.”

Baker, 23, made his Test debut in opposition to New Zealand at The Oval in June. He was a part of the Manchester Super Giants workforce that received The Hundred and the Hampshire aspect that reached the ultimate of the T20 Blast.

Corteen-Coleman, 19, was a shock inclusion within the England squad for the T20 World Cup.

Former England captain Heather Knight was given the Outstanding Contribution Award following her transnational retirement.

Another transnational retiree, Tammy Beaumont, received a Special Merit Award.