Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Craig Overton, left, and Sophie Luff have enjoyed excellent summers for Somerset
ByStephan ShemiltCricket Correspondent at PCA awards in London- Published29 minutes ago
Somerset pair Craig Overton and Sophie Luff have won the top prizes at the Professional Cricketers' Association awards.
Overton, the men's player of the year, had a stellar season across formats as Somerset just missed out on a first County Championship title and reached the semi-finals of the T20 Blast.
Luff becomes the first winner of the women's player of the year award not to have played international cricket since 2021. As well as superb form in county cricket, the 32-year-old was part of the Trent Rockets team that won The Hundred.
Pace bowler Sonny Baker and left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman won the two young player of the year awards.
All-rounder Overton, 32, scored three first-class hundreds and averaged less than 20 with the ball in the County Championship.
His form has led to talk of a recall to the England team to fill the vacancy left by Ben Stokes, four years after he won the last of his eight Test caps.
Overton beat off other shortlisted nominees Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence.
"It's a phenomenal feeling," said Overton. "To be chosen by your peers to win this award is very special, it means so much to me.
"I felt like I got in a groove where my body was in a good spot, not 100% because of the schedule, but mentally I felt like I was in a great spot to be able to go out and perform when games come along near enough every other day."
Somerset captain Luff scored more than 1,000 runs across formats during the summer, including averaging in excess of 40 in the One-Day Cup.
Luff triumphed ahead of three internationals on the shortlist – Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley and Mady Villiers.
"I've always been a leader that wants to lead from the front, but I think people are seeing that play out in games now," said Luff. "I think this year I've just showcased what I'm capable of.
"I've had a new role at Somerset opening the batting and it's safe to say it's gone pretty well and I've probably unlocked something to bring the best out of me as a player. I'm so grateful to all my team-mates and coaches at Somerset that have supported me."
Baker, 23, made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval in June. He was part of the Manchester Super Giants team that won The Hundred and the Hampshire side that reached the final of the T20 Blast.
Corteen-Coleman, 19, was a surprise inclusion in the England squad for the T20 World Cup.
Former England captain Heather Knight was given the Outstanding Contribution Award following her international retirement.
Another international retiree, Tammy Beaumont, won a Special Merit Award.
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