England’s Harry Brook has been awarded the Bob Willis Trophy at the 2023 Cricket Writers’ Club awards.
Brook, 24, scooped the award for the overall cricketer of the year, just two years after winning the CWC’s Young Cricketer of the Year.
All-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt picked up the Women’s Cricket Award for a second consecutive year.
BBC broadcaster Kevin Howells was recognised with the Peter Smith Award.
The Bob Willis Trophy, given to England’s men’s or women’s player of the year, was awarded to Brook off the back of 12 months that saw him play a key role for England across three formats.
In November 2022, Brook helped England win the T20 World Cup, as well as scoring four centuries in his first 12 Test matches, becoming the fastest player to reach 1,000 Test runs in terms of balls faced.
In The Hundred, Brook also scored a 41-ball century for the Northern Superchargers which helped him force his way into England’s World Cup squad.
“I think the T20 World Cup just tops it to be honest,” said Brook. “To have won a World Cup, to have played in an Ashes series and to have experienced some of the things I have this year is a dream come true.
“It has been the most enjoyable time of my life so far. The way we’ve gone out there and tried to play our cricket has been really fun.”
Sciver-Brunt picked up the Women’s Cricket Award for the second year running after her contributions for England in the Women’s Ashes led to them drawing the series 8-8 with Australia, despite going 6-0 down.
Earlier in the year, Sciver-Brunt had also been England’s top run-scorer in their run to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup in South Africa.
“It seems like it’s not real to me still,” said Sciver-Brunt.
“Just having a quick think about it and really the enormity of the year that’s happened. Hopefully it’s the first of many ‘firsts’ in terms of women’s cricket’s journey.”
The 31-year-old also spoke about her ambitions to captain England one day, saying she would “love” the chance to do so.
“Heather [Knight] has got a few years left in her I’m sure,” said Sciver-Brunt. “She’s done such a great job. But I would like to lead England and we’ll see how it goes. Whether it’s one format at a time, I’m not really sure, but it’ll be really, really great to lead England.”
Somerset’s teenage wicketkeeper-batter James Rew was named the Young Cricketer of the Year after a breakthrough season.
Rew scored more than 1,000 runs for Somerset in the County Championship and finished third in the leading Division One run-scorers’ table, averaging 57.15.
Former England opening batter Alex Lees was named the County Championship Player of the Year, after scoring 1,347 runs and finishing as the leading run-scorer in Division Two to help Durham win the league title.
Fast bowler Lauren Filer was named Emerging Cricketer of the Year. Filer made her Test debut in the Ashes Test against Australia and also won her first three one-day international caps against Sri Lanka in September.
BBC broadcaster Howells was given the Peter Smith award in recognition of his contribution to broadcasting, particularly in the County Championship.
“Kevin Howells is one of the best broadcasters in the country,” said Tanya Aldred, who chaired a panel which selected the winner.
“He works diligently and skilfully, conducting himself with good humour and perspective while watching over a BBC broadcasting team spread across the country. His love and knowledge of the county game helps keep it alive.”
Sussex D40 batter Alfie Pyle is Disability Cricketer of the Year and Nicholas Brookes’ ‘An Island’s Eleven’ won the Derek Hodgson Book Award.
