Craig Overton and Sophie Luff, the two‑man contingent from Somerset, emerged as the headline winners at the 2026 Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) awards, an event staged in partnership with Toyota at the Exhibition Centre in White City. Their triumphs were joined by a host of other accolades handed out to rising England talents such as Sonny Baker and Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, making the evening a celebration of both established performers and promising newcomers.
Overton's haul was nothing short of historic. The all‑rounder collected four separate PCA trophies: the coveted Men’s Player of the Year award, the 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. In the 2025‑26 season he amassed 951 runs, claimed 76 wickets and took 45 catches across the County Championship, One‑Day Cup and Vitality Blast formats.
At 32, he became the first Somerset cricketer to win the PCA Men’s Player of the Year since Nick Compton lifted the prize in 2012, edging out a strong shortlist that featured the likes of Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence. One of Overton’s most memorable moments came in the Vitality Blast quarter‑final, where he produced an unbeaten 79 to steer Somerset into the high‑stakes 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.
To be able to put in consistent performances has made it a great year. My bowling ticked along and after I scored that hundred at Essex in the second game of the season my form with the bat carried on throughout the summer. The quarter‑final against Yorkshire was where I felt like this year is the one where everything’s going my way and everything clicked. I felt like I got in a groove where my body was in a good spot, not 100 per cent 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." Luff, the Somerset captain, completed the club’s double by clinching the inaugural Toyota PCA Women’s Player of the Year award – the first time the prize has gone to a player who has not yet featured in international cricket since its introduction in 2021.
Her season was a showcase of relentless consistency; she surpassed the 1,000‑run mark in the summer and was a pivotal figure for Trent Rockets in The Hundred, a campaign that ended with the team lifting the tournament trophy. In addition to the top‑individual honour, Luff earned a place in the Metro Bank PCA Women’s Team of the Year, underscoring her status as one of the domestic game’s most influential performers. Speaking after receiving her award, Luff explained, "It’s super special – people have voted for me after the performances and impact they feel I’ve had this year. It means that I’m doing things in the right way, and people think highly of you.
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. I think this year I’ve just showcased what I’m capable of." The young‑player categories highlighted the future of English cricket. Hampshire’s left‑arm pacer Sonny Baker was named the Toyota PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year and was rewarded with a Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval. At just 21, Baker has already taken ten wickets in international cricket, including six in the T20 International arena, and his rapid rise makes him the first Hampshire cricketer to capture the young‑player award since the category’s inception in 1990.
On the women’s side, Tilly Corteen‑Coleman earned the Toyota PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year accolade after a breakthrough season that saw her win both her T20 International and One‑Day International debuts for England. Her domestic performances for Surrey and Southern Brave in The Hundred were instrumental in securing the award, signalling her as a key figure in England’s upcoming plans. The evening also honoured long‑term contributions to the sport. Former England captain Heather Knight received the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award, recognizing her sustained dedication, leadership and ambassadorial work for the game over many years.
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) presented its Special Merit Award to Tammy Beaumont, celebrating the former England batter’s distinguished international career and the impact she has had on women’s cricket globally. Overall, the 2026 PCA awards painted a picture of a vibrant English cricket landscape: seasoned professionals like Overton and Luff being rewarded for exceptional domestic seasons, emerging stars such as Baker and Corteen‑Coleman being fast‑tracked into the international arena, and veteran figures like Knight and Beaumont being honoured for their lifelong service. The ceremony, held in partnership with Toyota, not only highlighted individual brilliance but also underscored the collaborative spirit that drives the sport forward. Full details of every award category and the complete list of winners were slated for release during the ceremony, confirming the PCA’s commitment to celebrating excellence across all levels of the game.