Travis Head wins prestigious Allan Border medal, Annabel Sutherland bags Belinda Clark award

NEW DELHI: Star batter Travis Head was on Monday honoured with the prestigious Allan Border Medal for Australia’s top male cricketer, while Annabel Sutherland claimed the Belinda Clark Medal at the Australian Cricket Awards in Melbourne on Monday.

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Head, who enjoyed a stellar year across all three formats, amassed 1,427 runs during the voting period and secured 208 votes, surpassing Josh Hazlewood (158 votes) and Pat Cummins (147 votes) to claim the top prize.

"Pretty hard to believe. It’s been a great year. I’m pleased to have played my role and fortunate to have featured in all formats. It’s a nice accomplishment, and I’ll enjoy it," Head said in a recorded message from Galle.



The 31-year-old also took home the Men’s ODI Player of the Year award despite playing only five of Australia’s 11 ODIs during the eligibility period. His standout performance, an unbeaten 154 against England at Trent Bridge, helped him edge past Alex Carey, Steve Smith, and Xavier Bartlett for the honor. Additionally, he finished runner-up in the Test and T20 Player of the Year categories.


For Sutherland, this was her first Australian Cricket Award, coming just days after her maiden Test century at the MCG, where she became the first woman to achieve the feat at the iconic venue.

The 23-year-old all-rounder kicked off the 12-month voting period with a remarkable 210 against South Africa at the WACA and later scored her third Test century — a magnificent 163 in the Ashes. She secured 168 votes, finishing ahead of Ashleigh Gardner (143 votes) and Beth Mooney (115 votes).

"Pretty surreal. Winning an award named after Belinda Clark is truly special," Sutherland said.

Josh Hazlewood clinched his first-ever Men’s Test Player of the Year award, claiming 30 wickets at an average of 13.16 against the West Indies, New Zealand, and India.

Sam Konstas, the 19-year-old sensation who impressed on his debut in the Boxing Day Test against India, was named Young Cricketer of the Year. He scored 113 runs in two matches, including a memorable 60 off 65 balls in his first innings, taking on star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah.

Although many top players were absent due to Australia’s ongoing Test series in Sri Lanka, Mitchell Marsh stole the show at Crown Casino with a humorous anecdote about Bumrah.


"My little nephew, Ted, is four years old. We played backyard cricket the other day, and he came in with Bumrah’s action... and the nightmare continues," Marsh joked, leaving the audience in stitches.

In other awards, Ashleigh Gardner was named Women's ODI Player of the Year after finishing as Australia's leading run-scorer in the format with 385 runs. Beth Mooney was crowned Women's T20 Player of the Year for the third time, having scored 618 runs during the voting period.

Leg-spinner Adam Zampa won Men's T20I Player of the Year after taking 35 wickets in 21 T20Is, edging out Head by three votes. Cameron Green was awarded the Community Impact Award for his efforts in raising awareness about kidney disease.

The award ceremony also saw Michael Clarke, Michael Bevan, and Christina Matthews inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame.