Craig Overton and Sophie Luff, the celebrated Somerset duo, have each taken home the most prestigious trophies at the 2026 Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) awards, an event presented in partnership with Toyota and staged at Exhibition White City. Their triumphs were joined by emerging England talents Sonny Baker and Tilly Corteen‑Coleman, who also earned coveted accolades for their breakthrough performances. Overton’s haul was nothing short of historic. The 32‑year‑old all‑rounder walked away with a quartet of honours: the PCA Men’s Player of the Year award, 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 accumulated 951 runs, claimed 76 wickets and took 45 catches, a statistical spread that underscores his consistency and versatility. His achievement marks the first time a Somerset cricketer has captured the PCA Men’s Player of the Year title since Nick Compton’s win in 2012, and he edged out a strong shortlist that included Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence.
Overton’s season was punctuated by a memorable unbeaten 79 in the Vitality Blast quarter‑final, a knock that propelled Somerset into the high‑stakes 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 added that a series of steady performances had made the year feel like everything was aligning: “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, Somerset’s captain, completed the club’s double by winning the inaugural Toyota PCA Women’s Player of the Year award – the first time the trophy has been presented to a player who has not yet featured at international level, a distinction last held by Eve Jones in 2021. Throughout the season Luff proved a dominant force for her county, amassing more than 1,000 runs and delivering match‑winning contributions 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. Speaking after the ceremony, the 32‑year‑old said, “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 spinner Sonny Baker, only 21, was named the Toyota PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year. His award came with a Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval, giving him an immediate platform on the international stage.
Baker has already taken ten wickets for England, including six in T20 Internationals, and his recognition makes him the first Hampshire player to win the young‑player prize 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 breakout season that saw her debut in both T20 Internationals and One‑Day Internationals for England.
Her domestic form for Surrey and the Southern Brave in The Hundred was equally impressive, cementing her reputation as a rising star in the English set‑up. The evening also honoured long‑term contributions to the game. Former England captain Heather Knight received the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award, recognizing her unwavering dedication and leadership over many years. In a separate ceremony, the England and Wales Cricket Board presented its Special Merit Award to former England batter Tammy Beaumont, celebrating her illustrious international career and the lasting impact she has had on women’s cricket.
The PCA Awards, now in partnership with Toyota, continue to celebrate excellence across the professional game, from established stars to emerging talents. The full roster of winners, spanning men’s and women’s categories, will be disclosed during the ceremony, underscoring the depth of talent thriving in English cricket today.