Cricket Australia Awards 2025: Learoyd, South Australia, and Victoria Shine Bright

Cricket Australia Honours Excellence at 2024–25 State Cricket Awards

Celebrating a Season of Milestones and Spirit: 2024–25 State Cricket Awards

As another successful domestic cricket season draws to a close, Cricket Australia has officially announced the winners of the 2024–25 State Cricket Awards, paying tribute to a campaign filled with individual brilliance, team triumphs, and a shared commitment to the values of the game. With standout performances across formats, from the historic Sheffield Shield final to the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) finale, the awards reflect both achievement and the heart of Australian cricket character, consistency, and spirit.

Anika Learoyd’s Breakthrough Season Earns Indigenous Honour

Topping the honours list was Anika Learoyd, who was named the Cricket Australia Indigenous Cricketer of the Year her first time receiving this accolade. A proud Gumbaynggirr woman and rising star, Learoyd had a season to remember, representing New South Wales in every WNCL match and shining brightest in the final. Her Player of the Match performance in the championship game against Queensland capped off a stellar campaign, where she amassed 577 runs in 13 innings at an average of 48.08, including a scintillating WNCL century.

Learoyd’s rich vein of form was not confined to domestic cricket. She earned selection for the Governor-General's XI against England, competed in the Green v Gold red-ball clash, and currently features in the Australia A multi-format series against England A. Her award is both a personal triumph and a broader symbol of Indigenous excellence in Australian cricket a movement that continues to gather momentum.

Sam Nogajski: Three-Peat for Australia’s Top Umpire

For the third consecutive year, Tasmania’s Sam Nogajski has been awarded the Cricket Australia Umpire Award, further solidifying his reputation as one of the most respected officials in the game. This season, Nogajski stepped onto the global stage with his debut appearance at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, officiating four group matches including the high-profile United States vs. India clash in New York.

Domestically, Nogajski stood tall across formats, officiating the finals of the KFC BBL, Marsh One-Day Cup, and Sheffield Shield. His recent induction into the ICC’s Emerging Umpire Panel highlights his growing influence in global cricket, a just reward for years of consistently high-quality officiating.

South Australia and New South Wales: Team Glory Reimagined

Team efforts also received the spotlight, with South Australia making headlines by lifting the Sheffield Shield for the first time in 29 years an emotional moment that had cricket romantics rejoicing at Karen Rolton Oval. Their men’s side also clinched the One-Day Cup, rounding out an impressive double in the domestic calendar.

Meanwhile, New South Wales women continued their dominance in the WNCL, securing their 21st title and their first since the 2018–19 season. Tahlia Wilson played a major role in this resurgence, winning both the WNCL Player of the Year and T20 Spring Challenge Player of the Year awards.

Spirit of Cricket: Integrity Still Matters

The Benaud Spirit of Cricket Awards named after the legendary Richie Benaud remained a staple of the event, reminding the cricketing community that how you play matters just as much as the result.

Victoria claimed the men’s Spirit of Cricket Award, edging out Tasmania by eight points across the Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup seasons. On the women’s side, New South Wales led the tally, finishing three points ahead of Queensland in the WNCL.

The scoring system evaluates teams on three core values: Respect for Opponents, Respect for Umpires, and Respect for the Game. These awards highlight that amid fierce competition, the essence of sportsmanship still thrives.

Recognising the Stars of the Format

This season’s standout performers across all formats were also acknowledged. Fergus O’Neill of Victoria earned the Sheffield Shield Player of the Year, while Liam Scott from South Australia was crowned One-Day Cup Player of the Year.

In the shortest format, Ellyse Perry (Sydney Sixers) and Jess Jonassen (Brisbane Heat) shared the WBBL Player of the Year, showcasing the depth of talent in women’s cricket. For the men’s KFC BBL, the honour was split between Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars) and Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers), underlining the impact of both veterans and rising stars.

Cricket Australia's Vision: Building Beyond the Boundary

Cricket Australia Chief of Cricket, James Allsopp, reflected on a season that didn’t just deliver on the field but off it too. In his remarks, he credited the collective effort of players, coaches, officials, and support staff for maintaining the strength of Australia’s domestic framework a system that continues to feed talent into national squads.

“The scenes of jubilation at Karen Rolton Oval... illustrate the passion and connection supporters have to domestic cricket,” Allsopp said, noting that grassroots and state-level competitions remain the bedrock of Australia’s cricketing identity.

He also extended gratitude to partners like Foxtel and Kayo Sports for their role in making domestic cricket more accessible to fans nationwide.

Conclusion: Looking Ahead with Pride

As the cricketing fraternity celebrates the achievements of the 2024–25 season, the message is clear Australian cricket is in good hands. With individuals like Anika Learoyd blazing new trails and stalwarts like Sam Nogajski exemplifying excellence, the future looks balanced and bright. And in a time where sportsmanship is as important as skill, the Benaud Spirit of Cricket awards stand as a timely reminder that how you win defines you just as much as winning itself.

Here’s to a season of milestones, memories, and momentum as Cricket Australia looks ahead to an even stronger 2025–26.