Craig Overton and Sophie Luff, the dynamic duo from Somerset, emerged as the headline winners at the 2026 Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) awards, an event held in partnership with Toyota at the Exhibition White City venue. Their triumphs were complemented by rising England talents Sonny Baker and Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, who also walked away with prestigious accolades.
Overton’s haul was nothing short of historic. The all‑rounder captured a quartet of PCA honours: the coveted PCA Men’s Player of the Year trophy, the PCA Men’s Domestic Overall MVP, the Rothesay County Championship Player of the Year award, and a place in the IG PCA Men’s Team of the Year. Across the three formats this season, the 32‑year‑old amassed 951 runs, claimed 76 wickets and took 45 catches, showcasing a rare blend of batting, bowling and fielding excellence. His achievements marked the first time a Somerset player had claimed the top PCA prize since Nick Compton’s win in 2012, edging out a strong shortlist that featured the likes of Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence.
In addition to his statistical dominance, Overton delivered a memorable unbeaten 79 in the Vitality Blast quarter‑final, steering Somerset into the climactic Finals Day. Reflecting on his success, 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 consistency had defined his season: "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 felt like the moment everything clicked and everything was going my way." Overton added that his mental state was as important as his physical preparation.
"I felt like I got into a groove where my body was in a good spot, not 100 per cent because of the schedule, but mentally I was ready to perform whenever the games came, often just a day apart," he said. The Somerset double was completed when captain Sophie Luff was voted the PCA Women’s Player of the Year, becoming the first recipient of the Toyota‑sponsored award since Eve Jones in 2021 who had not yet played international cricket.
Luff’s season was a masterclass in run‑scoring and leadership; she surpassed the 1,000‑run milestone in the summer and played a pivotal role in The Hundred, where she helped the Trent Rockets claim the title. Her performances earned her a spot in the Metro Bank PCA Women’s Team of the Year as well. Luff expressed her gratitude, stating, "It’s super special that people have voted for me after the performances and impact they feel I’ve had this year.
It means I’m doing things the right way and people think highly of me." At 32, she emphasized her commitment to leading from the front, noting that her teammates and opponents now recognise her leadership on the field. The young‑player categories also highlighted the future of English cricket. Hampshire’s Sonny Baker, a 21‑year‑old left‑arm spinner, was named the Toyota PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year.
His award came alongside a Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval, where he has already taken ten international wickets, including six in Twenty‑20 Internationals. Baker’s achievement made him the first Hampshire player to capture this particular accolade since its inception in 1990. On the women’s side, Tilly Corteen‑Coleman earned the Toyota PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year award after a breakthrough season that saw her win both IT20 and ODI caps for England. Her domestic performances for Surrey and the Southern Brave in The Hundred were instrumental in securing the honor.
The evening also celebrated long‑term contributions to the sport. Former England captain Heather Knight received the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award, recognizing her unwavering dedication and influence over many years. Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) presented its Special Merit Award to former England batter Tammy Beaumont, honoring her illustrious international career and lasting impact on the game. Overall, the 2026 PCA Awards painted a vivid picture of both current excellence and future promise within English cricket.
From Overton’s all‑round dominance and Luff’s prolific run‑making to the emergence of young talents like Baker and Corteen‑Coleman, the ceremony underscored the depth of skill across the men’s and women’s games. The full roster of winners was slated for announcement later in the evening, cementing the event’s status as a cornerstone celebration of the sport’s finest achievements in partnership with Toyota.