Cricket Victoria 2024-25 State and Big Bash Awards were held recently, honoring the outstanding performances of players in the 2024-25 season. Several talented cricketers took home top honors, capping off an incredible year.
Amongst those who won, included Ella Hayward, who clinched two honours at Cricket Victoria State Awards, while Sophie Molineux and Marizanne Kapp were recognized at the Big Bash Awards, winning the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) Player of the Season Awards for Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars, respectively.
21-year-old all-rounder Ella Hayward had a breakout season, earning her the prestigious Sharon Tredrea Award for best performances for Victoria during the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) season. She also received the Women’s Player’s Player Award, voted on by the Victorian women’s squad, for exemplifying Victorian values.
Hayward thrived after being promoted to bat at number three, scoring 446 runs in 12 matches, including two half-centuries and the highest score of 112 not out against South Australia. She was the sixth-highest run scorer of the season.
Her impressive run tally was complemented by a successful stint with the ball, yielding 21 wickets, to finish as the fourth-highest wicket-taker of the tournament, with the best bowling figures of 6/31. Hayward’s outstanding all-round performance saw her lead the team in both runs scored and wickets taken. With her double award win, all eyes are now on when she will make her international debut.
At the BBL awards, Sophie Molineux and Marizanne Kapp stole the show. Molineux, the title-winning captain of the Melbourne Renegades, won the Melbourne Renegades’ WBBL Player of the Season award. In the WBBL 2024-25, she was the tournament’s fourth-highest wicket-taker, claiming 16 wickets in 7 matches, including the best of 4/17.
One of her standout performances came against the Sydney Thunder, where she took 4/23, restricting the Thunder to 133 and later scoring an unbeaten 42 as the Renegades won by 9 wickets. Despite missing four games mid-season due to a knee injury, the 27-year-old remained a driving force behind the team’s maiden title win, showcasing her experience and class across seven matches. This award marked her third Player of the Season honour, having previously claimed the title in WBBL 04 and WBBL 08.
Marizanne Kapp also impressed, winning the Melbourne Stars’ WBBL Player of the Season award. Despite the Stars finishing last in the league, Kapp had a notable individual season, scoring 103 runs in 9 matches, including the highest score of 32. She also took 9 wickets, with the best of 3/20, showcasing her all-round skills and earning recognition as the Stars’ top performer.
Ahead of the latest season of WBBL, Marizanne Kapp has been secured by Melbourne Stars while Sophie Molineux still remains uncontracted by Melbourne Renegades.
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