Australia all-rounder Annabel Sutherland has further stamped her authority on international cricket, claiming the Belinda Clark Award for the second consecutive year. The honour recognises Australia’s most outstanding female player and reflects a season defined by consistency, impact, and big-match performances.
Sutherland edged out wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney in a closely fought vote, finishing with 77 votes to Mooney’s 74. The assessment period largely revolved around the ODI World Cup, with additional matches including a three-match T20I series against New Zealand and a three-ODI series against India in the lead-up to the global tournament.
With this achievement, Sutherland becomes the first Australian woman to retain the Belinda Clark Award since Meg Lanning accomplished the feat in 2014 and 2015. Former Australia coach Shelley Nitschke remains the most dominant winner, having claimed the award four years in a row between 2009 and 2012, while Karen Rolton and Lisa Sthalekar have also enjoyed back-to-back success.
Reacting to the honour, Sutherland admitted the recognition took her by surprise. She described the moment as “surreal” and said it was particularly meaningful to receive the award from Belinda Clark herself, calling it a “special feeling” to be mentioned alongside some of Australia’s greatest cricketers.
On the field, Sutherland delivered a standout all-round campaign. Across nine ODIs, she amassed 216 runs at an average of 43.20, including an unbeaten 98 against England. With the ball, she was equally influential, picking up 19 wickets at 18.84. Her impact extended to the T20I format as well, where she claimed eight wickets in the New Zealand series.
While Sutherland dominated the overall award, Mooney was recognised as T20I Player of the Year after scoring 166 runs at an impressive average of 83.00 against New Zealand. Leg-spinner Alana King finished third in the overall voting, highlighted by her 13 wickets at the ODI World Cup, including a record-breaking 7 for 18 against South Africa.
Elsewhere, Nicola Carey was named Domestic Player of the Year, while Caoimhe Bray received the Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year award.
Due to the busy international schedules of both the men’s and women’s teams, Cricket Australia opted against a traditional gala ceremony. Despite the scaled-down setting, Sutherland noted that celebrating the moment with teammates and in the presence of Belinda Clark kept the occasion meaningful.
As Sutherland’s career continues to rise, her back-to-back Belinda Clark Awards underline a defining truth of the current era: Australian women’s cricket has found another long-term match-winner at the very peak of the game.
