Tahlia Wilson and Jack Edwards are Cricket NSW’s domestic players of the year after being awarded the Belinda Clark and Steve Waugh Medals at the Annual CNSW Awards night at the SCG.
In a ceremony in front of their playing peers, support staff and other dignitaries, Wilson and Edwards were the big winners of the state’s top domestic cricket gongs - just reward for their outstanding seasons for the NSW Breakers and Blues.
Wilson beat out Samantha Bates and Anika Learoyd for the Belinda Clark Medal, while Edwards won the Steve Waugh Medal from Matthew Gilkes, Kurtis Patterson and Josh Philippe.
Wilson, 25, also took out the WNCL player of the tournament award for the third season in a row after topping the competition’s list of run scorers, including a record-breaking performance in NSW’s clash against ACT in February. In a huge day out, Wilson belted 142 from 160 balls and together with Anika Learoyd, posted the highest second wicket partnership (212) for NSW in WNCL.
In 2024/25, Edwards seamlessly stepped into the role of Sheffield Shield captain, taking over from Moises Henriques and continuing to grow into one of New South Wales’ most reliable performers.
Before the major honours, winners were announced for the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder WBBL and BBL Players of the Competition.
English stalwart Heather Knight won the Alex Blackwell Medal for Thunder’s WBBL player of the season, while David Warner earned the Mike Hussey Medal as Thunder’s BBL player of the year.
Sixers WBBL skipper Ellyse Perry won the Sixers top WBBL prize, with Jordan Silk the corresponding BBL winner.
The Michael Bevan One-Day Cup Player of the Competition was won by Matthew Gilkes, Tahlia Wilson was the WNCL Player of the Competition and Jack Edwards the Sheffield Shield Player of the Competition.
The evening also featured recognition for Charlie Anderson, Samantha Bates, Caoimhe Bray, Elsa Hunter, Hanno Jacobs, Sam Konstas, Ross Pawson, Josh Philippe and Lachlan Shaw for making their Blues and Breakers debuts.
There was also a celebration marking the retirement of Moises Henriques and Sammy-Jo Johnson and the two 100-match achievements for Chris Green and Josh Philippe.
Cricket NSW Annual Awards – Winners and Finalists
Alex Blackwell Medal for Sydney Thunder WBBL Player of the Tournament
Winner: Heather Knight
Finalists: Samantha Bates, Shabnim Ismail, Heather Knight, Phoebe Litchfield, Georgia Voll
Mike Hussey Medal for Sydney Thunder BBL Player of the Tournament
Winner: David Warner
Finalists: Wes Agar, Sam Billings, Lockie Ferguson, Chris Green, David Warner
Sydney Sixers WBBL Player of the Competition
Winner: Ellyse Perry
Finalists: Sophie Ecclestone, Ashleigh Gardner, Amelia Kerr, Ellyse Perry
Sydney Sixers BBL Player of the Competition
Winner: Jordan Silk
Finalists: Ben Dwarshuis, Moises Henriques, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, James Vince
Michael Bevan One-Day Cup Player of the Competition
Winner: Matthew Gilkes
Finalists: Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Jack Nisbet
WNCL Player of the Competition
Winner: Tahlia Wilson
Finalists: Samantha Bates, Elsa Hunter, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Anika Learoyd, Tahlia Wilson
Sheffield Shield Player of the Tournament
Winner: Jack Edwards
Finalists: Sean Abbott, Jackson Bird, Jack Edwards, Kurtis Patterson
Belinda Clark Medal
Winner: Tahlia Wilson
Finalists: Samantha Bates, Anika Learoyd, Tahlia Wilson
Steve Waugh Medal
Winner: Jack Edwards
Finalists: Jack Edwards, Matthew Gilkes, Kurtis Patterson, Josh Philippe