Travis Head won the prestigious Allan Border Medal as Australia’s top men’s cricketer, while young all-rounder Annabel Sutherland secured the Belinda Clark Medal at the Australian Cricket Awards on Monday.
Head, who amassed 1,427 runs across formats during the polling period, topped the voting with 208 votes, ahead of Josh Hazlewood (158) and Pat Cummins (147). “It’s been a good year. I’m lucky to have played all formats and will enjoy this accomplishment,” Head said in a recorded interview from Galle.
The 31-year-old also claimed the Men’s ODI Player of the Year award, despite featuring in only five of Australia’s 11 ODIs. His unbeaten 154 against England at Trent Bridge helped him edge past Alex Carey, Steve Smith, and Xavier Bartlett.
For Sutherland, it was her first Australian Cricket Award, coming just days after she became the first woman to score a Test century at the MCG.
FILE PHOTO: Australia’s Annabel Sutherland in action.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
FILE PHOTO: Australia’s Annabel Sutherland in action.
| Photo Credit:
AFP
Sutherland received 168 votes, surpassing Ashleigh Gardner (143 votes) and Beth Mooney (115 votes) to win the Belinda Clark Medal.
“Pretty surreal. To win an award named after Belinda Clark is pretty special,” said Sutherland.
Australia pacer Josh Hazlewood won his first Men’s Test Player of the Year award at the Australian Cricket Awards after claiming 30 wickets at 13.16 in Tests against West Indies, New Zealand, and India.
Teenager Sam Konstas was named Young Cricketer of the Year after an impressive debut in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, scoring 113 runs, including a 60 on debut. His fearless batting against Jasprit Bumrah made headlines.
Other winners included Ashleigh Gardner (Women’s ODI Player), Beth Mooney (Women’s T20 Player), Adam Zampa (Men’s T20 Player), and Cameron Green (Community Impact Award).
Michael Clarke, Michael Bevan, and Christina Matthews were inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame, highlighting a memorable night.
