Somerset cricketers Craig Overton and Sophie Luff have secured the most prestigious awards at the 2026 Professional Cricketers' Association (PCA) Awards.
Overton enjoyed an outstanding season, achieving a remarkable quadruple at the ceremony. He was named PCA Men’s Player of the Year, PCA Men’s Domestic Overall MVP, Rothesay County Championship Player of the Year and earned a place in the IG PCA Men’s Team of the Year. This achievement marks the first time a Somerset player has won the Men’s Player of the Year award since Nick Compton in 2012. Overton was selected ahead of other notable contenders including Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence.
The all-rounder, who also represents the Trent Rockets, has joined a distinguished list of recent winners such as Jordan Cox, Liam Dawson, Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow and Joe Root. Overton amassed 951 runs, took 76 wickets and secured 45 catches throughout the season. Additionally, he received three PCA Player of the Month awards, a first for any player.
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At 32 years old, Overton scored three centuries in First-Class cricket, maintained a bowling average of 19.18 in the County Championship, and played an unbeaten 79 in the Vitality Blast quarter-final, guiding Somerset to Finals Day.
Somerset’s success was further highlighted by captain Sophie Luff’s accomplishment. She received the PCA Women’s Player of the Year award, becoming the first winner since Eve Jones in 2021 who has not played international cricket. Luff impressed with her performances both for Somerset and in The Hundred, winning the latter with the Trent Rockets. She was also selected at number four in the Metro Bank PCA Women’s Team of the Year.
Luff was chosen over nominees Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley and Mady Villiers, joining a celebrated group of previous winners including Emma Lamb, Kathryn Bryce, Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver-Brunt. This summer, Luff scored over 1,000 runs, including 536 in the Metro Bank One Day Cup, where she averaged 41.23 with three fifties and two hundreds, her highest score being 108.
She also contributed five half-centuries and 119 runs in the Vitality Blast, while playing a key role in Trent Rockets’ success in The Hundred.
The PCA Men’s Young Player of the Year award was claimed by Hampshire and England fast bowler Baker, from Torbay. Baker, who made his Test debut against New Zealand at the Kia Oval, took 10 international wickets this summer including six in IT20s. He is the first Hampshire player to receive this award since its inception in 1990.
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. 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 everything clicked. Mentally, I was in a great spot to perform consistently despite the busy schedule.”
Luff commented: “To win this award is a huge honour. Being shortlisted alongside players like Dunks, Boosh, and Mady was a privilege. It’s very special to know people have voted for me based on my performances and impact. I’ve embraced a new role opening the batting for Somerset which has gone well and helped me bring out my best. I’m grateful to my teammates and coaches for their support.”
Baker expressed his delight: “I’m absolutely delighted. Thanks to everyone who voted for me. To be included among such impressive names is fantastic. I’ve been thankful for many opportunities this year, including Finals Day and playing for England. Making my Test debut was a dream come true and hearing Brooky say ‘everything you do is 100 miles an hour’ was the best compliment. I’m over the moon about 2026.”
The PCA Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to former England captain Heather Knight in recognition of her long-standing dedication to cricket. Knight retired from international action this summer, having played 320 matches for England, captaining 199 of them. Her leadership extended beyond the field as she contributed significantly to the development of women’s cricket through various boards, committees and as PCA Vice Chair.