Jonny Bairstow, and Nat Sciver were named PCA Players of the Year at the annual awards - Cricket Winner

Jonny Bairstow and Nat Sciver have been voted winners of the cinch Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA) men’s and women’s Player of the Year awards. With Harry Brook and Freya Kemp being named as Young Players of the Year. Bairstow, who earlier this week was named by the Cricket Writers’ Club as the inaugural Bob Willis Trophy winner. Collected the trophy at the PCA’s annual awards dinner at Hurlingham Club in London, having been the outstanding player of a memorable season for England’s Test team.

He made 681 runs at 75.66, including four centuries, as England won six of their seven Tests against New Zealand, India and South Africa. However, he is currently out of action after suffering a badly broken leg during a freak golfing accident. “It’s a privilege to win the cinch PCA Men’s Player of the Year and when your colleagues vote for you it’s a real honour,” Bairstow said. “It’s so hard to pinpoint one individual moment but as a collective I was delighted to have contributed in most of the Tests.

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Harry Brook, Freya Kemp scoop prestigious Young Player of Year awards

“Winning six out of seven Tests was a huge achievement for everyone,” he added. “After the last couple of years that we’ve had its great to be back on the winning side of it. I was really pleased with how the results turned out and how the group has grown and bonded together over the summer. It’s been a pleasure to be part of and hopefully I’ll be back with the squad soon.” Bairstow is the fourth England player in a row to claim the top PCA award. Which last season went to Joe Root and before him Chris Woakes.

Sciver, who also won the PCA Women’s Player of the Year award in 2017. The outstanding performer for club and country in 2022. A year that began with two centuries at the World Cup in New Zealand. She followed that form up with a maiden Test hundred, 169 not out against South Africa at Taunton. And capped her season by being named the PCA’s MVP at the Hundred.

Sciver is currently taking a break from the game, having withdrawn from England’s series against India in September, for which she had initially been named as stand-in captain. “A massive thank you to everybody that voted for me to win. The cinch PCA Women’s Player of the Year, I am really honoured,” Sciver said. Has retained the Young Player Award that he picked up in 2021. Making him the first player to do so since Sir Alastair Cook in 2005 and 2006.