Somerset have long been one of English cricket's nearly men — perpetually competitive, rarely crowned. But on the evening of 30 September, the county from Taunton had every reason to celebrate, with Craig Overton and Sophie Luff walking away with the men's and women's Player of the Year prizes respectively at the Professional Cricketers' Association awards in London. It was a remarkable double for a club that continues to punch well above its weight across both the men's and women's game.
Overton's All-Round Excellence Demands England Attention
Craig Overton has been one of county cricket's most consistent performers for years, but the 32-year-old all-rounder raised his game to another level entirely in 2026. He struck three first-class centuries across the season while maintaining a bowling average below 20 in the County Championship — a combination of performances that very few cricketers in the country could match. Somerset fell just short of a first-ever County Championship title and reached the T20 Blast semi-finals, with Overton a driving force throughout.
The award is voted for by fellow professionals, which makes it particularly meaningful. "To be chosen by your peers to win this award is very special, it means so much to me," Overton said. "I felt like I got in a groove where my body was in a good spot — not 100% 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."
He edged out a quality shortlist that included Joe Clarke, George Hill and Dan Lawrence. Perhaps more significantly, his performances have reignited serious discussion about an England recall. Four years have passed since Overton earned the last of his eight Test caps, but with a vacancy created by Ben Stokes's absence, the selectors may find it difficult to overlook him much longer. If that recall materialises, expect England's Test outright betting odds to shift in their favour — Overton at his best is a genuine match-winner at the highest level.
Luff Makes History With Landmark Women's Award
Sophie Luff's achievement is arguably even more striking in its context. The Somerset captain becomes the first winner of the women's PCA Player of the Year award since 2021 to have never represented England internationally — a remarkable distinction given the strength of the opposition she beat to claim it. Maia Bouchier, Sophia Dunkley and Mady Villiers were all on the shortlist, yet Luff, 32, outshone them all through sheer weight of runs and quality of leadership.
Luff accumulated over 1,000 runs across all formats this summer, averaging above 40 in the One-Day Cup. A switch to opening the batting for Somerset appears to have unlocked a new dimension to her game. "I've had a new role at Somerset opening the batting and it's safe to say it's gone pretty well," she reflected. "I've probably unlocked something to bring the best out of me as a player." Her club form also translated to The Hundred, where she was part of the Trent Rockets side that lifted the trophy.
Young Stars Baker and Corteen-Coleman Also Recognised
The evening wasn't solely about the headline acts. Pace bowler Sonny Baker, 23, claimed the men's Young Player of the Year award following a summer that included a Test debut against New Zealand at The Oval in June. He also featured in the Manchester Super Giants' Hundred-winning campaign and helped Hampshire reach the T20 Blast final — a quite extraordinary run of appearances for a young cricketer still finding his feet at the top level. Left-arm spinner Tilly Corteen-Coleman took the women's equivalent prize, underlining the depth of emerging talent in the domestic game.
A Statement Evening for Somerset Cricket
As a former coach, I've seen many awards evenings come and go, but a county claiming both headline prizes in the same night is genuinely rare. It speaks volumes about the culture Somerset have built — one that develops cricketers rather than simply recruiting them. With Overton potentially on the verge of an England return and Luff continuing to redefine what's possible outside the international setup, Taunton looks a very exciting place to be right now. The county may have narrowly missed the Championship title, but on nights like this, silverware isn't everything.
