Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Glenn Maxwell, and Cooper Connolly Share Top Honors at Australian Cricket Awards 2025

Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Glenn Maxwell, and Cooper Connolly Share Top Honors at Australian Cricket Awards 2025

The Australian Cricket Awards 2025 celebrated the finest talent in Australian domestic cricket, as Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Glenn Maxwell, and Cooper Connolly emerged as the joint winners of the prestigious WBBL|10 and BBL|14 Player of the Tournament awards. In a historic first, both awards were shared, reflecting the outstanding performances and competitive spirit of these celebrated leagues.

The Voting Process: Recognizing Excellence

The Player of the Tournament awards for both the Weber WBBL|10 and KFC BBL|14 were determined by votes from standing umpires in each home and away match. A 3-2-1 voting system was used to acknowledge the top performers in each game, ensuring that the most consistent and impactful players received due recognition.

Ellyse Perry and Jess Jonassen: Leading Lights of WBBL|10

Perry’s Dominance with the Bat

Ellyse Perry, captaining the Sydney Sixers, showcased her mastery with the bat, amassing 424 runs at an impressive average of 53. Her performances earned her the BKT Golden Bat and a place as captain in the WBBL Team of the Decade. Perry’s leadership and consistency were instrumental in leading her side to a successful campaign.

Jonassen’s All-Round Brilliance

Jess Jonassen of the Brisbane Heat matched Perry’s vote tally with 25 votes, earning her a share of the WBBL|10 Player of the Tournament award. As the leading wicket-taker in WBBL history, Jonassen’s 14 wickets and 174 runs were pivotal in guiding her team to the Final. Her inclusion in the WBBL Team of the Decade further highlighted her contributions to the league.

Top Contenders for the Award

While Perry and Jonassen led the way, Samantha Bates (Sydney Thunder, 19 votes), Sophie Molineux (Melbourne Renegades, 18 votes), and Georgia Voll (Sydney Thunder, 17 votes) were also recognized for their stellar performances in WBBL|10.

Glenn Maxwell and Cooper Connolly: Stars of BBL|14

Maxwell’s Impactful Leadership

Glenn Maxwell, a veteran of the Melbourne Stars, was instrumental in his team’s surge into the Finals. Despite missing two matches due to injury, Maxwell scored 297 runs at an incredible strike rate of 194.12 and an average of 59.4. His aggressive style and leadership propelled the Stars to five consecutive wins, cementing his place as a BBL legend.

Connolly’s Breakout Season

Cooper Connolly of the Perth Scorchers shared the BBL|14 Player of the Tournament award with Maxwell, garnering 18 votes. Promoted to the top order, Connolly clinched the BKT Golden Bat with 351 runs at an average of 50.14, establishing himself as a rising star in the league.

Honorable Mentions in BBL|14

Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes, 16 votes), Will Sutherland (Melbourne Renegades, 14 votes), and Tom Rogers (Melbourne Renegades, 13 votes) rounded out the top five, showcasing the depth of talent in the Big Bash League.

Celebrating a Decade of WBBL Excellence

In addition to recognizing individual excellence, the Australian Cricket Awards 2025 also celebrated the WBBL Team of the Decade, honoring those who have made the greatest on-field contributions since the league's inception.

WBBL Team of the Decade:

• Beth Mooney
• Alyssa Healy (wk)
• Meg Lanning
• Ellyse Perry (c)
• Sophie Devine
• Grace Harris
• Jess Jonassen
• Marizanne Kapp
• Amanda-Jade Wellington
• Sarah Aley
• Megan Schutt
• Molly Strano

These players have not only excelled in run-scoring, wicket-taking, and fielding, but also played pivotal roles in memorable victories that have shaped the WBBL’s rich history.

Alistair Dobson’s Message: Celebrating Cricket Excellence

Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager for the Big Bash Leagues, lauded the award winners and the WBBL Team of the Decade, stating:

"Ellyse, Jess, Glenn, and Cooper all produced memorable campaigns for their sides, with their match-winning performances drawing record crowds and audiences. To have a tie for both awards demonstrates the quality of players in our competitions and just how well-balanced our teams are, which leads to great cricket every night over summer."

Dobson’s remarks reflect the impact these leagues have had on the Australian sporting landscape, drawing fans and fostering young talent.

A Milestone in Australian Cricket

The Australian Cricket Awards 2025 highlighted the immense talent in the WBBL and BBL, recognizing Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Glenn Maxwell, and Cooper Connolly as players who have significantly contributed to their teams’ success.

As the WBBL celebrates a decade of excellence and the BBL continues to captivate audiences, the shared honors in WBBL|10 and BBL|14 Player of the Tournament awards are a testament to the depth and competitiveness of Australian domestic cricket.

With record-breaking performances and memorable milestones, the future of Australian cricket remains bright and inspiring for fans worldwide.