Darcie Brown, Tim Ward among Australian Cricketers

Melbourne Australia January 28 ANI Cricket Australia named pacer Darcie Brown as Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year.

The winners of the Domestic and Young Cricketer of the Year Awards were announced by the Australian Cricketers' Association ACA.

The rise to one of the most exciting fast-bowling talents in cricket has been meteoric, according to eighteen-year-old Darcie Brown.

Brown completed her High School Certificate during the Women's Big Bash League, 06 hub in October 2020 and produced outstanding performances in her debut season to announce herself as a future star.

I'm really honored to have won the Betty Wilson award, it's a special award, especially when it's voted by my peers, said Darcie Brown in an official statement.

She said I've loved the opportunities I've had to play for Australia and wouldn't have been able to do so without the support of my family and friends, and my teammates and coaches who have been able to push me to improve and help me enjoy my cricket.

Tim Ward was named as the Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year. This award is a testament to his high level of persistence and the strength of Premier Cricket in Australia.

The 23-year-old continued to knock the door on the door for higher honours before an opportunity presented in Tasmania, playing for Sydney Premier Cricket Club Parramatta.

Ward has won six games in the Marsh Sheffield Shield since debuting in April 2021, drawing 506 runs at an average of 46, including a maiden century against Queensland and three half-centuries.

I wouldn't have believed you if you told me I'd win the award eighteen months ago. 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, said Tim Ward.

It means so much to win the award, but it's extra special when it's voted by the players. Eighteen months ago, most of them wouldn't have known who I was. He said that for them to vote for me, it means a lot.

Travis Head, a Male Domestic Player of the Year, has used domestic competition to lay the platform for success at the international level, as shown by his destructive, match-defining innings in the recent Vodafone Ashes series.

Through 12 games in the voting period, Head scored 902 runs at an average of 50.1, with included three centuries, including a mammoth 223 in a Marsh One-Day Cup match against Queensland in October.

I am honoured to receive this award and thank Cricket Australia and SACA for the opportunity to play cricket at the highest levels. Things like this are not possible without the hard work of teammates and coaches and I am extremely grateful to everyone who has helped me both on and off the field, said Travis Head.

I would like to thank the ACA for their help during the year, and for this award voted for by my peers. Domestic cricket in Australia is a very strong position, as shown by our recent performances on the world stage. He said that I love representing South Australia and hope to do so for many more years to come.

Elyse Villani is the Female Domestic Player of the Year - Elyse Villani: She becomes the first woman to win this award in consecutive seasons after a sensational 12 months.

The 32-year-old enjoyed an incredible run of form during the voting period and finished with five centuries and four half-centuries as she piled on 1,050 runs at an average of 61.8 across 24 matches.

Her unmatched output in the WNCL helped Victoria host the final, while Villani also led the run scoring for the Melbourne Stars in WBBL| 07.

I feel privileged to be awarded the Female Domestic Player of the Year, to know that it is a peer voted award makes it really special and something I hold close, said Villani.