Overton and Luff win PCA men's and women's player of the year awards
On 30 September 2026, Somerset pair Craig Overton and Sophie Luff won the top prizes at the Professional Cricketers' Association awards, with Overton named men's player of the year and Luff the women's player of the year.
Overton enjoyed a strong season across formats as Somerset narrowly missed out on a first County Championship title and reached the semi-finals of the T20 Blast. Luff, 32, becomes the first women's player of the year not to have played international cricket since 2021. She was also a member of the Trent Rockets side that won The Hundred.
All-rounder Craig Overton, 32, produced three first-class hundreds and averaged less than 20 with the ball in the County Championship. He overcame nominees Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence to win the men's prize. "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 Sophie Luff scored more than 1,000 runs across formats during the summer, including averaging in excess of 40 in the One-Day Cup. She finished 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."
The two young player of the year awards went to pace bowler Sonny Baker and left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman. Baker, 23, made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval in June and 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 received the Outstanding Contribution Award following her international retirement, and Tammy Beaumont won a Special Merit Award.
His form has led to talk of a recall to the England team to fill the vacancy left by Ben Stokes. That possibility arrives four years after Overton won the last of his eight Test caps.