Anika Learoyd didn’t just pile up the runs this season—she timed them to perfection. The 22-year-old from Gumbaynggirr Country saved her best for the final, lifting New South Wales to a Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) title and claiming Player of the Match honours in the process. Her reward? A richly deserved nod as the Cricket Australia Indigenous Cricketer of the Year.
It’s the first time Learoyd has taken out the award, and it follows a season where she chalked up 577 runs at an average of 48.08, including a second WNCL century. Those numbers weren’t just big, they came with context—she delivered when it counted. Her performance in the WNCL final against Queensland underlined a presence growing stronger with every outing.
This wasn’t just a story of domestic dominance. Learoyd earned a call-up to the Governor-General’s XI, played in the Green v Gold red-ball match in March, and was selected for the ongoing Australia A versus England A series. It’s been a steady climb for the New South Wales batter, and it’s clear she’s being watched closely by national selectors.
While Learoyd’s star is on the rise, Sam Nogajski continues to be the gold standard among Australian umpires. For the third straight year, he has been recognised with the Cricket Australia Umpire Award. Nogajski’s calendar featured four games at the T20 World Cup, including the high-profile USA versus India clash in New York, plus all three men’s domestic finals back home—the Big Bash, the One-Day Cup, and the Sheffield Shield. Tasmania’s top official has since been added to the ICC’s Emerging Umpire Panel.
As always, the Benaud Spirit of Cricket Awards served as a reminder that results are only part of the story. Victoria topped the men’s standings, while New South Wales edged Queensland in the women’s competition. These awards take into account respect for opponents, umpires, and the game itself—categories often discussed but rarely scored. Here, they are.
Cricket Australia’s Chief of Cricket James Allsopp described the 2024–25 season as a success, praising both individuals and teams who kept the domestic circuit buzzing. He noted the scenes at Karen Rolton Oval, where South Australia claimed the Sheffield Shield title for the first time in 29 years. The Shield win added to their One-Day Cup triumph, completing a rare double and delivering one of the season’s defining moments.
“All award winners deserve recognition for their performances,” Allsopp said, “but we also acknowledge everyone behind the scenes—coaches, support staff, umpires, administrators. Domestic cricket in Australia remains competitive, well-supported, and central to building our national squads.”
New South Wales, meanwhile, won their 21st WNCL title and their first since 2018–19, with players like Learoyd and Tahlia Wilson (who took out both the WNCL and T20 Spring Challenge Player of the Year awards) leading the way.
On the men’s side, Victoria’s Fergus O’Neill was named Sheffield Shield Player of the Year, South Australia’s Liam Scott earned the One-Day Cup Player of the Year, and in the Big Bash, it was a shared spotlight: Cooper Connolly of the Perth Scorchers and Glenn Maxwell of the Melbourne Stars took the honours.
The women’s Big Bash saw two heavyweights split the top award—Ellyse Perry and Jess Jonassen, who continue to shape the future while carrying the experience of a decade.
Cricket Australia also gave a nod to its media partners, with Allsopp thanking Foxtel and Kayo Sports for their continued backing of the domestic game.
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