Cricket

Liam Dawson has emerged as the first domestic cricketer since 2018 to claim the coveted PCA Men's Player of the Year award. His exceptional all-round performance for Hampshire in the 2023 season, where he amassed 71 wickets and 1,280 runs across all formats, propelled him to the top of the Overall MVP table.Dawson's triumph follows a string of England players who have secured the honor, including Harry Brook, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, and Ben Stokes. Joe Denly was the last county player to receive the award in 2018.In addition to the Player of the Year accolade, Dawson also scooped the PCA Men's Domestic Overall MVP and the Vitality County Championship Player of the Year awards. He was also named captain of the IG PCA Men's Team of the Year."It's a huge honor," said Dawson. "I didn't expect this, so to win the award is a very proud moment. It's a real highlight of my career."Scotland's Kathryn Bryce was crowned the Women's Player of the Year after leading The Blaze to the Charlotte Edwards Cup victory. She also claimed the PCA Women's Domestic Overall MVP, Charlotte Edwards Cup Player of the Year, and captained the Metro Bank PCA Women's Team of the Year."It's been a brilliant year," said Bryce. "This is a year I will remember for a long time."Jamie Smith and Ryana MacDonald-Gay were recognized as the PCA Men's and Women's Young Players of the Year, respectively. Smith made an immediate impact in Test cricket for England, while MacDonald-Gay made her England debut against Ireland.The PCA Outstanding Contribution Award was presented to Matthew Maynard for his work with the Tom Maynard Trust, while James Anderson received the Special Merit award following his international retirement.Neil Bainton and Anna Harris were named the PCA's Umpires of the Year, and England players Harry Brook and Lauren Bell received the Rado Recognition award.

Scotland's Women's T20 World Cup squad, led by all-rounder Kathryn Bryce, is brimming with talent and experience. The team's maiden appearance at the global tournament will be a testament to their remarkable progress in recent years.Kathryn Bryce, a versatile all-rounder, will don the captain's armband, while her sister Sarah Bryce, a wicketkeeper, will serve as vice-captain. The squad boasts a formidable lineup of all-rounders, including Priyanaz Chatterji, Katherine Fraser, and Megan McColl."The balance of this squad is exceptional," said head coach Craig Wallace. "We have match-winners throughout the lineup, which is a significant improvement in the team's evolution. Players have consistently delivered crucial performances, and that depth extends across the entire squad."Scotland's qualification for the tournament was secured after finishing second to Sri Lanka in the qualifier held in the UAE earlier this year. Their impressive performances in the Netherlands, where they triumphed in five out of six matches in a tri-series against the hosts and Papua New Guinea, further showcased their capabilities."The recent Netherlands series demonstrated the depth within our squad," Wallace added. "Players who were not selected for this tournament have pushed and performed consistently throughout the year. It's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire group."Thirteen members of Scotland's qualifier squad have been retained for the T20 World Cup, including offspinner Olivia Bell and former captain Abbi Aitken-Drummond, who impressed in the Netherlands.Scotland will face a formidable challenge in Group B, which includes England, Bangladesh, South Africa, and West Indies. They will depart for the UAE in mid-September for a training camp and two warm-up matches against Pakistan and Sri Lanka. Their tournament opener is scheduled against Bangladesh on October 3.

The Blaze, chasing a target of 246, secured a six-wicket victory over Sunrisers at Derby, keeping their hopes of qualifying for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy knock-out stage alive. All-rounder Kathryn Bryce played a pivotal role, scoring an unbeaten 87 and claiming four wickets for 41 runs.England's Tammy Beaumont (59) and Sarah Bryce (41) provided a solid foundation for The Blaze's chase, putting on a 76-run opening partnership. Ella Claridge contributed an unbeaten 33 from 27 balls to help Bryce finish things off.For Sunrisers, Cordelia Griffith top-scored with 65, while Eva Gray (37) and Jodi Grewcock (36) made valuable contributions. However, Bryce's bowling prowess proved too much for Sunrisers, as she dismissed Griffith, Gray, and Amara Carr in quick succession.The result was a setback for Sunrisers, who remain in contention for a top-four finish and a semi-final berth. The Blaze, on the other hand, have gained momentum with six wins in their last eight completed matches.

The Blaze emerged victorious in the Charlotte Edwards Cup final, defeating South East Stars by a commanding seven wickets. Kathryn Bryce, the Scotland skipper, led the charge with a match-winning 62 off 44 balls, while her younger sister Sarah contributed an unbeaten 52 from 46 balls.The Blaze's triumph marked a significant achievement for the team, which had suffered heartbreak in both women's regional competitions last season. Captain Kirstie Gordon's strong leadership played a crucial role in their success, as they avoided a repeat of their defeat to Southern Vipers in the previous year's finals.Despite conceding 22 runs in the first over, The Blaze bowlers displayed discipline and skill to restrict Stars to 141 for 9. Australian allrounder Heather Graham claimed 3 for 16, while legspinner Josie Groves took 3 for 33. Georgia Redmayne top-scored for Stars with 25, but their total proved insufficient on a deteriorating surface.The Blaze's chase began steadily, with Kathryn Bryce and Tammy Beaumont forming a solid opening partnership. However, Beaumont was run out in a moment of brilliance by bowler Tash Farrant. Marie Kelly's dismissal left the score at 49 for 2 after six overs.Undeterred, Kathryn and Sarah Bryce forged a decisive partnership of 79 runs. Kathryn reached her fifth half-century of the competition in just 31 balls, while Sarah completed her own half-century off 45 balls. Kathryn's dismissal brought Graham to the crease, who sealed the victory with a boundary over mid-off.Kathryn Bryce's outstanding performance earned her the distinction of being the competition's leading runscorer, with an impressive tally of 477 runs. The Blaze skipper, Tash Farrant, also emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 22 scalps.

The Blaze secured their spot in the regional women's final for the third consecutive year, triumphing over Central Sparks by five wickets with two overs remaining in the first semi-final of the Charlotte Edwards Cup Finals Day at Derby.Despite Hannah Baker's impressive 3 for 24, the experience of Tammy Beaumont (39 off 31) and Kathryn Bryce (44 off 39) proved crucial for The Blaze. Josie Groves' quickfire 14 off four balls sealed the victory for last year's runners-up.Courtney Webb's unbeaten 45 off 31 balls rescued the Sparks innings from a precarious 93 for 6. Davina Perrin (32 off 17) and Ami Campbell (21 off 14) had provided a solid start with a 54-run partnership in the powerplay. However, Groves' 2 for 16 and Grace Ballinger's 2 for 34 put the brakes on the Sparks' momentum.Campbell's aggressive approach paid off initially, but she was caught at long-on in the sixth over. Perrin's dismissal triggered a collapse, with Sparks losing four wickets for 18 runs. Kathryn Bryce ran out Abbey Freeborn, while Groves bowled Katie George and Charis Pavely.Em Arlott's dismissal left Sparks struggling at 114 for 7, but Webb and Ballinger rallied to finish strongly. The Blaze, in response, plundered 51 runs in their powerplay, despite losing Marie Kelly early. Beaumont and Kathryn Bryce added 57 runs for the second wicket, putting their side in a commanding position.Sparks fought back with the wickets of Beaumont and Sarah Bryce, but Graham's six off Potts left The Blaze needing just 33 runs off the last five overs. Graham's dismissal and Kathryn Bryce's miscue gave Sparks hope, but Groves' three fours off George sealed the victory for The Blaze with two overs to spare.

The Blaze continued their dominant run in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing an eighth consecutive victory with an eight-wicket triumph over Sunrisers at Lord's. Kathryn Bryce, the tournament's leading run-scorer, once again proved her prowess with an unbeaten 57 from 37 balls.Bryce's innings, her fourth half-century in six games, was the cornerstone of The Blaze's chase. She shared a crucial 100-run partnership with her younger sister Sarah, who contributed an unbeaten 54 from 35 deliveries. The Bryce sisters' partnership ensured The Blaze maintained their 100% record in the group stage, reaching their target with 29 balls to spare.Earlier, Sunrisers captain Grace Scrivens led her team's batting effort with a top score of 42 from 38 balls. However, The Blaze's bowlers kept the Sunrisers in check, restricting them to 137 for seven. Marie Kelly's direct hit from mid-off accounted for Scrivens, while Heather Graham claimed two wickets in three deliveries to stifle Sunrisers' momentum.The Blaze's chase got off to a shaky start when Tammy Beaumont was dismissed for a duck. However, Marie Kelly and Sarah Bryce steadied the innings with a 50-run partnership. Kelly's dismissal brought Kathryn Bryce to the crease, and she quickly asserted her dominance. Bryce reached her half-century in just 33 deliveries and continued to accelerate the scoring rate.Sarah Bryce also played a vital role, hitting two sixes in two balls off Eva Gray. She went on to post her first 50 of the tournament before sealing the victory with a square-cut boundary off Amu Surenkumar.The victory all but mathematically ends Sunrisers' hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals, while The Blaze remain firmly in contention for a top-two finish in the group stage.

The Blaze, last year's Charlotte Edwards Cup runners-up, have secured their place in the Finals Day once again after defeating Northern Diamonds by 13 runs at Headingley. This victory marks their seventh consecutive win in the ongoing campaign.Blaze, who defended a target of 160, are the undisputed leaders of the table. However, they faced a challenge from Diamonds, who have struggled this season with six losses in seven games. Despite their valiant effort, Diamonds' hopes of qualifying for the showpiece day at Derby on June 22 now hang in the balance.Kathryn Bryce and Tammy Beaumont, both international players, played pivotal roles in Blaze's victory. Bryce scored an impressive 54 off 39 balls, while Beaumont contributed 45 off 33. Bess Heath, England's fringe wicketkeeper-batter, fought back for Diamonds with a blistering 59 off 32. However, the hosts' momentum was halted as they collapsed from 94 for 2 in the 12th over to 146 all out in the 20th.Sarah Glenn, England's legspinner, claimed 3 for 32, while Bryce added two wickets with her seamers. After the early dismissal of Teresa Graves, Bryce and Beaumont formed a formidable second-wicket partnership of 78, propelling Blaze to a strong position.Despite Beaumont's departure, Diamonds showed resilience. Allrounder Erin Burns assisted offspinner Katherine Fraser in removing Sarah Bryce and Heather Graham. Bryce, who had reached a dynamic fifty off 34 balls, was dismissed by legspinner Katie Levick. Ella Claridge was also bowled, leaving Blaze at 139 for 6.Grace Ballinger's dismissal of Lauren Winfield-Hill and Glenn's bowling of Hollie Armitage left Diamonds at a precarious 18 for 2 in the third over. However, Heath's aggressive batting, including five boundaries in her first 11 balls, gave Diamonds hope.The tide turned once again as Stere Kalis was caught behind off Glenn and Heath was caught at deep cover off Bryce. Four wickets fell for 26 runs, leaving Diamonds at 120 for 6 in the 15th over. Glenn and Bryce claimed further wickets to seal Blaze's victory.

The Blaze, led by an impressive bowling performance from Australian allrounder Heather Graham, continued their dominance in the Charlotte Edwards Cup with a seven-wicket victory over Western Storm. Graham, making her debut for the East Midlands side, claimed 4 for 10, while offspinner Lucy Higham (2 for 18) and left-arm strike bowler Grace Ballinger (1 for 17) also contributed to Storm's dismissal for 99.England skipper Heather Knight top-scored for Storm with 20, but the Blaze's bowling attack proved too strong. The Blaze chased down their target with 35 balls to spare, thanks largely to Scottish internationals Kathryn Bryce (46) and Sarah Bryce. Graham capped her impressive afternoon by hitting the winning boundary.The Blaze, who lost only to Southern Vipers in last season's final, now have six wins from six in the 2024 edition and lead the points table. They remain on track for a return to finals day at Derby on 22 June.Storm skipper Sophie Luff opted to bat first but lost two wickets for 29 in the powerplay overs. Ballinger dismissed Nat Wraith, while Graham claimed the wicket of Fran Wilson. Knight made a positive start but was bowled by Gordon. Legspinner Josie Groves had Amanda-Jade Wellington leg before, leaving Storm at 58 for 4 after 10 overs.Higham bowled Alex Griffiths and had Luff caught at mid-off, while Issy Wong was run out. Graham returned to take three wickets in six deliveries, dismissing Smale, Skelton, and Anderson.Wong removed Tammy Beaumont with the last ball of the opening over of the Blaze's chase, and Teresa Graves was dismissed shortly after. However, Kathryn Bryce and Sarah Bryce put on a 67-run partnership for the third wicket. Filer eventually dismissed Kathryn Bryce, but Graham hit the winning boundary off the first ball of the 15th over to seal the victory.

The Blaze continued their dominant run in the Charlotte Edwards Cup, securing a fourth consecutive victory with a 10-run triumph over Central Sparks at Trent Bridge. Allrounder Kathryn Bryce emerged as the star performer, showcasing her versatility with both bat and ball.Bryce's 57-run knock formed the backbone of The Blaze's 134 for 6. She forged crucial partnerships with her sister Sarah (55 runs) and South African Nadine de Klerk (40 runs). Emily Arlott's 2 for 23 was the standout bowling performance for Sparks.In response, Sparks fell short despite valiant efforts from Katie George, Eve Jones, and Courtney Webb. Bryce's medium pace proved effective, claiming 2 for 28, while skipper Kirstie Gordon chipped in with 2 for 22.The Blaze's innings began with early setbacks as Tammy Beaumont and Teresa Graves departed cheaply. However, Kathryn Bryce and Sarah steadied the ship with a 55-run stand. Bryce reached her half-century with a paddle-scoop boundary, but her innings was cut short by a leg-before decision.De Klerk's contribution ended with a catch at extra cover, while Marie Kelly's stay was brief. Ella Claridge and Josie Groves provided some late impetus, but The Blaze's total of 134 looked modest.Sparks' chase started poorly, losing three wickets in the powerplay. Jones and Webb kept their side in the hunt, but the required run rate escalated after their dismissals. Arlott's late boundaries proved futile as Bryce's bowling and a superb catch by Claridge sealed the victory for The Blaze.