The 2024 Cricket Writers’ Club Awards saw England’s Gus Atkinson and Sophie Ecclestone among the night’s big winners. Atkinson, who made a sensational debut for England in the summer, earned the prestigious Bob Willis Trophy as the England Player of the Year. The Surrey fast bowler impressed with 22 wickets in three matches against West Indies, including a remarkable 12-wicket haul in his debut Test at Lord’s. Reflecting on his season, Atkinson shared, “My debut, taking 12 wickets was very special, and playing in Jimmy’s last Test was a big honor.”
Sophie Ecclestone, the world’s top bowler in white-ball cricket, claimed the Women’s Cricket Award after breaking the record for the fastest woman to 100 ODI wickets. The 25-year-old surpassed Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick, reaching the milestone in 63 innings.
In the Young Player of the Year category, 21-year-old Shoaib Bashir joined an elite list of past winners, including Sir Ian Botham, by earning the award. Bashir made headlines with a five-wicket haul at Trent Bridge, becoming England’s youngest bowler to achieve such a feat at home.
Liam Dawson was named County Championship Player of the Year, while Ryana MacDonald-Gay, the Surrey and Oval Invincibles all-rounder, won Emerging Cricketer of the Year. The Peter Smith Award, celebrating contributions to cricket presentation, went to James Anderson and the BBC Sounds podcast Tailenders cast.
The Disability Cricketer of the Year was awarded to Brendon Parr, and David Kynaston and Harry Ricketts won the Derek Hodgson Book Award for Richie Benaud’s Blue Suede Shoes.