Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland has further solidified her place at the top of the women’s game by winning the Belinda Clark Award for a second successive year. The 24-year-old became one of the few players to claim back-to-back Belinda Clark titles, a feat that puts her alongside elite company and underscores her impact with bat, ball and in the field during a standout season for Australia.
The Belinda Clark Award is Cricket Australia’s highest individual honour for women’s cricket, recognising the nation’s most outstanding player across all formats based on performances in international matches over the voting period.
In a close count, Sutherland secured 77 votes, narrowly defeating teammate Beth Mooney, who finished on 74, making it one of the tightest results in the award’s history. The slim margin highlights both the depth of talent in the Australian squad and the esteem in which Sutherland’s performances were held by selectors and panellists alike.
Sutherland’s numbers underline why she was again the standout candidate. In One Day Internationals (ODIs) during the voting window, she scored 216 runs at an average of 43.20, including a commanding 98 not out against England, while also claiming 19 wickets at 18.84 — figures that demonstrate her dual-threat value as a genuine all-rounder.
Her ability to shift momentum with both bat and ball has become a defining feature of Australia’s success. Whether stabilising an innings in the middle order or breaking partnerships with timely wickets, Sutherland has repeatedly delivered in pivotal moments.
Her influence extended into the T20 format as well, where she continued to provide balance and control. Against New Zealand, she collected eight wickets in the T20I series, once again showcasing her adaptability and tactical awareness. The award voting reflected not just isolated performances but sustained excellence across formats and conditions.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Sutherland admitted she had not been focused on individual accolades. “I was pretty surprised to be honest. I hadn’t put much thought into it around who was going to win,” she said. The humility in her response mirrors the steady temperament she brings to the field, calm under pressure and team-oriented in approach.
She described the recognition as “an absolutely special feeling and super grateful to receive the award from BC (Belinda Clark)” and expressed gratitude at receiving the award from Clark herself, a symbolic passing of excellence between generations of Australian greats.
Winning consecutive Belinda Clark Awards is a rare feat and a clear marker of Sutherland’s growing stature within the team. Still in the early stages of what promises to be a long international career, she has already evolved from promising prospect to cornerstone performer. Her athleticism in the field, disciplined seam bowling and increasingly authoritative batting have made her one of the first names on the team sheet.
For Annabel Sutherland, the honour confirms that she is no longer just a rising star, she is firmly established as one of the premier all-rounders in international cricket, and a central figure in Australia’s present and future success.
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