England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt and Australia captain Pat Cummins are named as the leading cricketers in the world by Wisden.
Sciver-Brunt has made history as the first English woman to receive this prestigious honour, while Cummins has been recognized for leading his team to victory in the World Test Championship and 50-over World Cup. Harry Brook and Mark Wood from England and Australian players Usman Khawaja, Mitchell Starc, and Ashleigh Gardner have also been named as the top cricketers of the year. Additionally, Travis Head’s outstanding performance in the Test Championship final against India has earned him the Wisden Trophy for Test performance of the year.
The Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, released this week, includes awards for England cricketer Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who has been named the "dominant batter in women's cricket" by Wisden editor Lawrence Booth. Sciver-Brunt, 31, achieved three centuries in five one-day internationals, with two of them coming in just three days during the Ashes and another off just 66 balls against Sri Lanka. Sciver-Brunt expressed how special it feels to receive this recognition.
"I found myself feeling quite emotional about everything, even though I wasn't exactly sure why. It was like I was reflecting on my accomplishments and realizing the potential impact I could have as a role model and the things I could achieve without fully realizing it at the time. Winning two global titles for my country and helping Australia retain the Ashes in England, especially with my late-order batting in the first Test, made me recognize the significance of my contributions."
This year's Wisden Cricketers of the Year have been announced, with Batter Brook and pace bowler Wood making the list for their outstanding performances during the Ashes series. Brook's consistent half-centuries and Wood's crucial contributions in the later Tests were key factors in England's comeback from a 2-0 deficit to draw the series 2-2. Additionally, opener Khawaja and pace bowler Starc were recognized for their exceptional performances, with Khawaja scoring the most runs in the series and Starc taking the most wickets. These players have made significant contributions to the sport and are deserving recipients of this prestigious award.
Gardner proved her all-round ability by being named player of the tournament in the Women's T20 World Cup and then taking 12 wickets in the Women's Ashes Test, helping Australia secure victory. On the other hand, Matthews made history by becoming the first woman to be named the leading T20 cricketer in the world after being awarded player of the match in eight consecutive games, surpassing the previous record of four. Both players have shown exceptional skill and talent in their performances, making a significant impact on the international stage.