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Shoaib Bashir named NV Play Young Player of the Year by Cricket Writers’ Club
England teammates Gus Atkinson and Shoaib Bashir claimed two of the main awards at the Cricket Writers’ Club lunch at the Kia Oval on Tuesday to cap off a remarkable rise for the pair this year.
Atkinson carried off the Bob Willis Trophy after being voted England’s Player of the Year, while Bashir took home the longest-standing award dating back to 1950 as NV Play Young Player of the Year.
Sophie Ecclestone and Ryana Macdonald-Gay took away the JM Finn Women’s award and the Emerging Cricketer award respectively, while Hampshire’s Liam Dawson was named County Championship Player of the Year.
Other awards presented by the Cricket Writers’ Club included the Peter Smith Award for Outstanding Presentation of Cricket to the Public, which was won by James Anderson and the cast of Tailenders for their cricketing and podcasting excellence.
The Derek Hodgson Cricket Book of the year was won by David Kynaston and Harry Ricketts for their book Richie Benaud’s Blue Suede Shoes, described as a ‘wonderfully detailed study that returns the reader to 1961’.
The Lord’s Taverners charity presented their Disability Cricketer of the Year award to England Physical Disability opening batter Brendon Parr following a stunning set of performances to help Pirates win the Disability Premier League this year.
For Atkinson, the award comes in a year in which he made a memorable Test debut against West Indies at Lord’s, taking a wicket with his second ball on the way to a match haul of 12 for 106 – the best figures by an England debutant since the 19th century.
To a series return of 22 wickets at 16.22, Atkinson later added a maiden Test century against Sri Lanka at the same ground in a game where he also took a five-wicket haul, to become the third man to achieve that feat.
“I was just hoping to make my England Test debut, and to have the summer that I’ve had, it’s a huge honour and to get this award at the end of it tops it off,” Atkinson said. “My debut, obviously taking 12 wickets was very special, and playing in Jimmy’s last Test was a big honour. Probably my favourite moment was that century against Sri Lanka.”
Atkinson follows previous winners Jonny Bairstow and Harry Brook as too does Bashir as the latest recipient of the NV Play Young Player of the Year award in recognition of his own impressive development.
In December 2023 he was picked to tour India following just six first-class appearances and 10 wickets, but the potential has been obvious to see since then.
Two five-wicket hauls in three matches, allied to his ability and temperament, saw him installed as England’s No.1 spinner throughout the summer of 2024 and the selection paid off handsomely at Trent Bridge against the Windies when he spun his team to victory with figures of 5 for 41, which at the age of 20 made him the youngest England Test cricketer to claim a five-wicket haul at home, beating Anderson’s record.
“Two years ago, I didn’t have a county,” Bashir said. “It’s been really special. With a lot of hard work, I’m thankful to be playing for my country. Long may it continue.
“It was very special, first time I’d played at Trent Bridge. For me to take that last wicket and seal the deal to make it 2-0 in the series, it was one of the highlights of my season.”
Anderson might have bidden farewell to the international game as a player this year, but his involvement in cricket continues as a coach and podcaster thanks to Tailenders.
Cricket Writers’ Club chair Dean Wilson said: “Huge congratulations to all our award winners, reflecting another terrific year of cricket for all members of the media to cover.
“At a time of unprecedented change in the game on and off the field, there are precious few opportunities to pause and reflect and honour the efforts of those who bring so much joy.
“Whether it is the skill and guile of Sophie Ecclestone and Shoaib Bashir, or the excellence of Gus Atkinson or Brendon Parr, there has been much to admire. Long may that continue.”
FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Bob Willis Trophy for England Player of the Year – Gus Atkinson
JM Finn Women’s Cricket Award – Sophie Ecclestone
NV Play Young Cricketer of the Year – Shoaib Bashir
LV Insurance County Championship Player of the Year – Liam Dawson
Emerging Cricketer of the Year – Ryana Macdonald-Gay
Peter Smith Award – James Anderson and the Cast of Tailenders
Derek Hodgson Book Award – David Kynaston and Harry Ricketts for “Richie Benaud’s Blue Suede Shoes”
Lord’s Taverners Disability Cricketer of the Year – Brendon Parr
