More trophies and not individual awards is what Ashes player of the series Travis Head wants after adding the Australian domestic player of the year to his growing awards pile having cemented his place among the best batsman in the country.
The South Australian captain, who thrashed 230 from 127 balls in a one-day clash leasing in to his Ashes campaign, broke a two-year run by veteran Shaun Marsh in the peer-voted award.
It was a big day for South Aussies with teenage speedster Darcie Brown, who took her first Test wicket in Canberra on Friday, named the Betty Wilson young cricketer of the year having stormed her way into the national team in all three formats despite only being 18.
Head, who has also earned a re-call to the Australian T20 team for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, said team success, particularly in SA where wins have been rare in recent seasons, trumped personal accolades.
“That’s what you play for, you play to win team trophies,” he said, having enjoyed Ashes celebrations.
“So hopefully you can contribute as an individual and hopefully I can continue to that and get us back to the top and as a team we can enjoy that success.”
During the voting period across all formats, Head has smashed 902 runs at an average of 50.1, including three centuries.
Brown has become a fast bowling phenomenon after graduating from the WBBL to international cricket and became the youngest ever Australian to take four wickets in an ODI last year.
“It’s pretty special, I’m a bit shocked by it,” she said of the award.
“Grateful to be able to say I’ve won this award, but there’s a few other girls who probably also deserved it. Making my debut for Australia was special, not many people get to say that they played for Australia.”
Tasmanian batsman Tim Ward named the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year having moved from NSW for opportunities at first class level.
The 23-year-old Ward’s has scored 06 runs at an average of 46, including a maiden century against Queensland and three half-centuries in his six matches in the Sheffield Shield since debuting in April 2021 have drawn.
“Eighteen months ago, if you told me I’d win this award, I wouldn’t have believed you,” Ward said.
“It’s been quite surprising how fast I think I’ve grown as a cricketer since coming down to Tasmania and I’m honoured to receive the award.
“It means so much to win this award but when it’s voted by the players it’s extra special. Eighteen months ago, most of them wouldn’t have known who I was. So for them to vote for me, it means a lot.”
Veteran batter Elyse Villani, who was recalled to the Australia A team this month on the back of more than 1000 runs for Victoria, was named female domestic player of the year for the second year in a row, the first player to achieve that feat.
“To know that it is a peer voted award makes it really special and something I hold close,” she said.
“Thank you to the girls I’ve played with and against in the past year, the competitions we play in get better each year and it’s amazing to xjmtzywsee the development of women’s cricket, thank you for your efforts over the past season, particularly in trying circumstances.”
AWARD WINNERS
Male Domestic Player of the Year – Travis Head
Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year – Tim Ward
Female Domestic Player of the Year – Elyse Villani
Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year – Darcie Brown
