Craig Overton and Sophie Luff, the dynamic Somerset duo, were the headline winners at the 2026 Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) awards, an event staged in partnership with Toyota and held at Exhibition White City. Their triumphs were accompanied by a host of other notable recognitions, including accolades for rising England talents Sonny Baker and Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, who also made a strong impression on the night. Overton’s haul was nothing short of historic. The all‑rounder walked away with four separate honours: the PCA Men’s Player of the Year, the PCA Men’s Domestic Overall MVP, the Rothesay County Championship Player of the Year, and a place in the IG PCA Men’s Team of the Year.
Across the three formats this season he amassed 951 runs, claimed 76 wickets and took 45 catches – a statistical spread that underlines his versatility and consistency. At 32, Overton became the first Somerset cricketer to win the premier PCA award since Nick Compton’s triumph in 2012, edging out a strong shortlist that featured the likes of Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence.
One of the standout moments of Overton’s campaign came in the Vitality Blast quarter‑final, where he produced an unbeaten 79 to propel Somerset into the famed Finals Day. Reflecting on his achievements, Overton said, “It’s a phenomenal feeling.
To be chosen by your peers to win this award is very special; it means so much to me.” He went on to explain that a string of steady performances had defined his season, noting that after a century against Essex early in the campaign his batting form continued to flourish throughout the summer. “The quarter‑final against Yorkshire was when I felt everything was clicking.
I wasn’t 100 percent physically because of the schedule, but mentally I was in a great place and could deliver when matches came around every other day.” Sophie Luff, the Somerset captain, completed the county’s double by clinching the player‑voted Toyota PCA Women’s Player of the Year award. She is the first recipient of this particular honour since Eve Jones won it in 2021, and notably, she has not yet featured in international cricket.
Luff’s season was marked by relentless run‑scoring – she topped the 1,000‑run mark in the summer – and by a pivotal role in The Hundred, where she helped the Trent Rockets claim the title. Her performances also earned her a spot in the Metro Bank PCA Women’s Team of the Year. “It’s super special that people have voted for me after the performances and impact they feel I’ve had this year,” Luff said.
“It means I’m doing things the right way and that people think highly of me. I’ve always wanted to lead from the front, and this year I think I’ve finally shown what I’m capable of.” The night also celebrated emerging talent. Hampshire’s left‑arm spinner Sonny Baker was named the Toyota PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year. At just 21, Baker has already made his Test debut, opening the bowling against New Zealand at the Kia Oval, and has taken 10 international wickets, including six in T20 Internationals.
His award marks the first time a Hampshire player has secured the young‑player prize since the category was introduced in 1990. On the women’s side, Tilly Corteen‑Coleman received the Toyota PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year award after an impressive year that saw her earn both T20 International and One‑Day International caps for England. She also shone for Surrey and the Southern Brave in The Hundred, establishing herself as a promising all‑rounder for the national side.
Former England captain Heather Knight was honoured with the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award, a recognition of her long‑standing dedication and service to the game. In addition, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) presented its Special Merit Award to former England batter Tammy Beaumont, celebrating her distinguished international career and the lasting impact she has had on women’s cricket. The PCA Awards, in collaboration with Toyota, continue to highlight the breadth of talent across English cricket – from seasoned veterans to rising stars – and underscore the importance of peer recognition in the sport.
The full list of award winners will be formally announced during the ceremony, cementing a night that celebrated both individual brilliance and collective achievement within the cricketing community.