Craig Overton and Sophie Luff, the dynamic Somerset duo, dominated the 2026 Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) awards ceremony, which was staged 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 each walked away with coveted young‑player accolades.
Overton’s night was nothing short of historic. The all‑rounder swept a four‑pronged haul: he was named PCA Men’s Player of the Year, earned the PCA Men’s Domestic Overall MVP award, captured the Rothesay County Championship Player of the Year title, and secured a place in the IG PCA Men’s Team of the Year. The 32‑year‑old’s season statistics underline why he was so highly regarded – across first‑class, List‑A and T20 formats he amassed 951 runs, claimed 76 wickets and took 45 catches.
In doing so, Overton became the first Somerset cricketer to win the PCA Men’s Player of the Year 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 highlights of Overton’s campaign was an 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 consistency had been the cornerstone of 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 was where I felt like this year is the one where everything’s going my way and everything clicked.” Overton also spoke about the mental side of his performance, noting that despite a demanding schedule he felt “in a great spot” mentally, allowing him to deliver when matches came thick and fast.
Sophie Luff, Somerset’s captain, completed the double by clinching the player‑voted Toyota PCA Women’s Player of the Year award. She is the first recipient of this particular honor since Eve Jones in 2021 who has not yet featured in international cricket. Luff’s season was a masterclass in batting consistency; she surpassed the 1,000‑run mark in the summer, a feat that also helped her side to numerous victories in the County Championship and the Hundred, where she contributed to Trent Rockets’ title win.
Her performances earned her a place in the Metro Bank PCA Women’s Team of the Year as well. “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,” Luff said, adding that her leadership philosophy of leading from the front was now being recognised on the field. The young‑player categories highlighted the next generation of English cricket.
Hampshire’s Sonny Baker was named 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 10 wickets in international cricket, with six of those coming in the T20 International format, making him the first Hampshire player to capture the young‑player award since its inception in 1990.
On the women’s side, left‑arm spinner Tilly Corteen‑Coleman earned the Toyota PCA Women’s Young Player of the Year accolade after a breakthrough season that saw her earn both T20 International and One‑Day International caps for England. Her domestic performances for Surrey and Southern Brave in The Hundred were instrumental in her selection, showcasing her ability to swing the ball and provide crucial breakthroughs. The evening also honoured long‑term contributions to the sport. Former England captain Heather Knight received the PCA Outstanding Contribution Award, a recognition of her sustained dedication, leadership and influence on English cricket over many years.
Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) presented its Special Merit Award to former England batter Tammy Beaumont, celebrating her illustrious international career and the impact she has had on the game’s growth. The PCA Awards, now in partnership with Toyota, continue to celebrate excellence across all levels of professional cricket in England.
The full list of winners, along with further details of each category, will be released in the official PCA Awards announcement following the ceremony.