Craig Overton and Sophie Luff lead Somerset double at PCA awards

Craig Overton and Sophie Luff have given Somerset a double success at the Professional Cricketers' Association awards, taking the men's and women's player of the year honours. BBC Sport reported the results on September 30, with both players recognised after seasons that combined strong individual performances with significant contributions across different formats of the domestic game.

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Overton, 32, made three first-class centuries and finished with a County Championship bowling average below 20. Somerset narrowly missed out on their first Championship title and also advanced to the T20 Blast semi-finals. The all-rounder secured the award ahead of fellow shortlisted players Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence, bringing recognition for a season in which he delivered with both bat and ball.

Speaking in comments carried by BBC Sport, Overton emphasised how much recognition from fellow players meant to him. He also credited his mental readiness during a demanding schedule, explaining that he had been able to maintain a strong mindset even when his body was not fully fresh. His performances came four years after the most recent of his eight Test appearances for England.

Somerset captain Luff passed 1,000 runs across formats during the summer and averaged more than 40 in the One-Day Cup. The 32-year-old also belonged to the Trent Rockets squad that won The Hundred. She finished ahead of Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley and Mady Villiers, becoming the first women's award winner since 2021 who had not played international cricket.

Luff linked her progress to opening the batting for Somerset, a new responsibility that she felt had helped her produce her best cricket. In remarks reported by the BBC, she described wanting her leadership to be reflected in her performances and acknowledged the support of team-mates and coaches. Her award followed a summer combining the county captaincy with success in The Hundred.

The young player awards went to pace bowler Sonny Baker and left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman. Baker, 23, made his Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval in June, won The Hundred with Manchester Super Giants and reached the Blast final with Hampshire. Corteen-Coleman, 19, earned selection for England's T20 World Cup squad. Former England captain Heather Knight received the Outstanding Contribution Award following her international retirement, while fellow retiree Tammy Beaumont collected a Special Merit Award.