England trio Gus Atkinson, Jamie Smith and Sophie Ecclestone have been named among Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year.
The players are chosen by the Wisden editor, a tradition that dates back to 1889. The awards are based on performances in the previous English summer and no player can win the award more than once in their career.
Hampshire spinner Liam Dawson and Surrey fast bowler Dan Worrall complete the line-up, which has been announced as this year’s Wisden almanack is published on Thursday.
India duo Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana are crowned the leading cricketers in the world, while West Indies’ Nicholas Pooran is the world’s leading T20 player.
Atkinson took 12 wickets against West Indies on his Test debut in July, which sparked a remarkable tally of 52 scalps in the year.
Smith also made his Test debut in the summer as England’s new wicketkeeper and made his first century against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford.
The 24-year-old finished the three-match series with 280 runs at an average of 46. 6, second only to Joe Root.
His solid wicketkeeping also solved England’s selection dilemma as he edged out Jonny Bairstow and Surrey team-mate Ben Foakes.
Ecclestone has been an outlier in a difficult year for England’s women, as she becomes the first English woman to be named in the quintet since batter Tammy Beaumont in 2019.
England were unbeaten during their home summer against Pakistan and New Zealand, before the disappointing group-stage exit in the autumn’s T20 World Cup and a disastrous Ashes defeat which saw head coach Jon Lewis and captain Heather Knight removed from their positions.
Left-arm spinner Ecclestone, 25, is the world’s number one ranked bowler in both white-ball formats, and surpassed Katherine Sciver-Brunt as England Women’s leading T20 wicket-taker during the series against Pakistan.
Michael van Gerwen hit a nine-darter on his way to winning the German Darts Grand Prix in Munich.
The three-time world champion beat fellow Dutchman Gian van Veen 8-5 in the final after producing a perfect leg in his last-16 win over Ryan Searle.
Van Veen, 22, delivered a brilliant display, averaging 110. 81, to beat world champion Luke Littler in the semi-final.
But he was unable to reach the same heights in the final as Van Gerwen, runner-up to Luke Humphries in last year’s tournament, broke early and never trailed before taking the three legs on the spin to seal victory.
It is Van Gerwen’s first European Tour title of the year – the 38th of this career – and the 35-year-old looked in good form, averaging over 100 in his three games leading up to the final.
After beating Searle 6-1, he saw off Ryan Joyce 6-4 in the quarter-finals and claimed a comprehensive 7-2 win over Josh Rock in the semis.
Incredible. Boring. Record-breakers. Special. Those are all the words that have been used to describe Burnley on their way to winning promotion to the Premier League this season.
Captain Josh Brownhill himself even joked that Burnley have “bored our way to the Premier League” after the 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Monday evening confirmed their return to the top flight.
Brownhill was referencing the fact the Clarets are set to become the best defence in Championship history having conceded just 15 goals this season, smashing the record of 30 goals allowed by Watford in 2020-21 and Preston in 2005-06.
They have also kept 29 clean sheets, beating Wigan Athletic’s EFL record of 27 in League One in 2017-18.
With 12 goalless draws and 15 of their 26 wins by a one-goal margin, Scott Parker’s side has been largely built on remarkable defensive stability and consistency.
But that takes nothing away from the fact Burnley are on course to reach 100 points and match Reading’s record 33-game unbeaten run in the second tier set in 2005-06, should they win their final two games against QPR and Millwall.
Rex Features
‘It takes a whole team’
“I’m speechless. All that hard work this season,” the 29-year-old told Sky Sports.
“We’ve been written off so many times, people calling us boring. We’ve bored our way to the Premier League.
“It takes a whole team – it’s not just a back four, a goalkeeper, it takes everybody.
“I don’t think a lot of the lads will sleep. I’m so buzzing for the lads that haven’t played Premier League football. “
Head coach Parker said the “ambition and target at the start of the season was to get back to the Premier League”.
“We’ve managed to do that so I’m hugely proud of the squad,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“It’s come down to real, pure commitment from every one of the players, their dedication and the sacrifice that they’ve made, that leads us to this point.
“I explained to the lads there is emotion from me because I see the commitment that everyone has brought.
“We live in a world where you win or you lose and you get judged and at the end of the season you’re either promoted or not and that’s how quickly people will judge it.
‘This one feels special’
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Parker was appointed Burnley boss in the summer following 15 months out of management, having been sacked by Belgian side Club Brugge in March 2022 after just 12 games in charge.
The 44-year-old said his third promotion as a manager means “everything” and said the journey Burnley have been on is “nothing short of incredible”.
“This one feels special,” he told Sky Sports, having previously won a place in the top flight with Fulham and Bournemouth.
“I’ve had some bumps in the road as a manager, not to make this about me. I decided to take a year out and came back to this, I knew it would be a challenge.
“The spotlight often shines on the players and myself but the sacrifices that families make – they fully deserve it. “
There are only two games of the season remaining but with both Leeds and Burnley tied on 94 points, Parker says they are still aiming to win the title.
“We are going to go for it,” Parker said. “That’s the aim and that’s exactly what we are going to do. “
PA Media
“He’s shown multiple times that he knows how to handle this league and how to bring a group of men together and accomplish great things,” Pace told Sky Sports.
“Even when there was negativity at the start of the season from others, it never stopped him.
“He’s amazing and we are so, so grateful, thankful and blessed to have him here. “
Incredible. Boring. Record-breakers. Special. Those are all the words that have been used to describe Burnley on their way to winning promotion to the Premier League this season.
Captain Josh Brownhill himself even joked that Burnley have “bored our way to the Premier League” after the 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Monday evening confirmed their return to the top flight.
Brownhill was referencing the fact the Clarets are set to become the best defence in Championship history having conceded just 15 goals this season, smashing the record of 30 goals allowed by Watford in 2020-21 and Preston in 2005-06.
They have also kept 29 clean sheets, beating Wigan Athletic’s EFL record of 27 in League One in 2017-18.
With 12 goalless draws and 15 of their 26 wins by a one-goal margin, Scott Parker’s side has been largely built on remarkable defensive stability and consistency.
But that takes nothing away from the fact Burnley are on course to reach 100 points and match Reading’s record 33-game unbeaten run in the second tier set in 2005-06, should they win their final two games against QPR and Millwall.
Rex Features
‘It takes a whole team’
“I’m speechless. All that hard work this season,” the 29-year-old told Sky Sports.
“We’ve been written off so many times, people calling us boring. We’ve bored our way to the Premier League.
“It takes a whole team – it’s not just a back four, a goalkeeper, it takes everybody.
“I don’t think a lot of the lads will sleep. I’m so buzzing for the lads that haven’t played Premier League football. “
Head coach Parker said the “ambition and target at the start of the season was to get back to the Premier League”.
“We’ve managed to do that so I’m hugely proud of the squad,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“It’s come down to real, pure commitment from every one of the players, their dedication and the sacrifice that they’ve made, that leads us to this point.
“I explained to the lads there is emotion from me because I see the commitment that everyone has brought.
“We live in a world where you win or you lose and you get judged and at the end of the season you’re either promoted or not and that’s how quickly people will judge it.
‘This one feels special’
This video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Parker was appointed Burnley boss in the summer following 15 months out of management, having been sacked by Belgian side Club Brugge in March 2022 after just 12 games in charge.
The 44-year-old said his third promotion as a manager means “everything” and said the journey Burnley have been on is “nothing short of incredible”.
“This one feels special,” he told Sky Sports, having previously won a place in the top flight with Fulham and Bournemouth.
“I’ve had some bumps in the road as a manager, not to make this about me. I decided to take a year out and came back to this, I knew it would be a challenge.
“The spotlight often shines on the players and myself but the sacrifices that families make – they fully deserve it. “
There are only two games of the season remaining but with both Leeds and Burnley tied on 94 points, Parker says they are still aiming to win the title.
“We are going to go for it,” Parker said. “That’s the aim and that’s exactly what we are going to do. “
PA Media
“He’s shown multiple times that he knows how to handle this league and how to bring a group of men together and accomplish great things,” Pace told Sky Sports.
“Even when there was negativity at the start of the season from others, it never stopped him.
“He’s amazing and we are so, so grateful, thankful and blessed to have him here. “
Incredible. Boring. Record-breakers. Special. Those are all the words that have been used to describe Burnley on their way to winning promotion to the Premier League this season.
Captain Josh Brownhill himself even joked that Burnley have “bored our way to the Premier League” after the 2-1 win over Sheffield United on Monday evening confirmed their return to the top flight.
Brownhill was referencing the fact the Clarets are set to become the best defence in Championship history having conceded just 15 goals this season, smashing the record of 30 goals allowed by Watford in 2020-21 and Preston in 2005-06.
They have also kept 29 clean sheets, beating Wigan Athletic’s EFL record of 27 in League One in 2017-18.
With 12 goalless draws and 15 of their 26 wins by a one-goal margin, Scott Parker’s side has been largely built on remarkable defensive stability and consistency.
But that takes nothing away from the fact Burnley are on course to reach 100 points and match Reading’s record 33-game unbeaten run in the second tier set in 2005-06, should they win their final two games against QPR and Millwall.
Rex Features
‘It takes a whole team’
“I’m speechless. All that hard work this season,” the 29-year-old told Sky Sports.
“We’ve been written off so many times, people calling us boring. We’ve bored our way to the Premier League.
“It takes a whole team – it’s not just a back four, a goalkeeper, it takes everybody.
“I don’t think a lot of the lads will sleep. I’m so buzzing for the lads that haven’t played Premier League football. “
Head coach Parker said the “ambition and target at the start of the season was to get back to the Premier League”.
“We’ve managed to do that so I’m hugely proud of the squad,” he told BBC Radio Lancashire.
“It’s come down to real, pure commitment from every one of the players, their dedication and the sacrifice that they’ve made, that leads us to this point.
“I explained to the lads there is emotion from me because I see the commitment that everyone has brought.
“We live in a world where you win or you lose and you get judged and at the end of the season you’re either promoted or not and that’s how quickly people will judge it.
‘This one feels special’
This video can not be played
To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser.
Parker was appointed Burnley boss in the summer following 15 months out of management, having been sacked by Belgian side Club Brugge in March 2022 after just 12 games in charge.
The 44-year-old said his third promotion as a manager means “everything” and said the journey Burnley have been on is “nothing short of incredible”.
“This one feels special,” he told Sky Sports, having previously won a place in the top flight with Fulham and Bournemouth.
“I’ve had some bumps in the road as a manager, not to make this about me. I decided to take a year out and came back to this, I knew it would be a challenge.
“The spotlight often shines on the players and myself but the sacrifices that families make – they fully deserve it. “
There are only two games of the season remaining but with both Leeds and Burnley tied on 94 points, Parker says they are still aiming to win the title.
“We are going to go for it,” Parker said. “That’s the aim and that’s exactly what we are going to do. “
PA Media
“He’s shown multiple times that he knows how to handle this league and how to bring a group of men together and accomplish great things,” Pace told Sky Sports.
“Even when there was negativity at the start of the season from others, it never stopped him.
“He’s amazing and we are so, so grateful, thankful and blessed to have him here. “
Chesney Hawkes was close to tears during the latest episode of Celebrity Big Brother after Ella Rae Wise made a comment about him during her nominations
Chesney Hawkes was on the verge of tears during Celebrity Big Brother after a brutal blow from Ella Rae Wise. During this week’s nominations, the celebs were forced to deliver their nominations face-to-face. While some famous faces were able to share theirs without any issues, some were left emotional.
Ella chose to nominate singer Chesney, claiming he was in the same environment as Mickey Rourke when he made a lewd sexual comment towards her. She added that she believed Chesney should have defended her in the situation.
During a conversation with US star JoJo Siwa, Chesney became emotional as JoJo explained that what Ella had said was given in a “bad tone. ” Chesney said: “It was pretty mean,” as JoJo believed the reality star was “trying to get a rise” from Chesney.
Chesney appeared upset following Ella’s comments(Image: ITV)
Chesney said: “She was upset and she was angry and she kind of took it out on me, unfairly, I would say. I think the comment she made about me was the harshest one in that room to be honest. She questioned my being a man and not standing up for her. “
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“That’s not a little flick, that’s a low blow,” said JoJo. The US star hugged Chesney, telling him he was a “good man” as the singer looked upset. Speaking in the Diary Room, Chesney said: “I’m a bit rattled to be honest, it’s mainly Ella’s nomination for me and what she said that has kinda upset me. The fact that she called me out and said I should have stood up felt a little bit harsh.
“I understand she was upset, she was probably lashing out. I feel like I have been protective of her. ” But Ella later attempted to rectify the situation, telling Chesney “a little protection would have been nice. ” He responded: “I’m a protective father of three, they’re your age the kids. it would absolutely kill me if you thought I wouldn’t be a man. “
JoJo comforted Chesney(Image: ITV)
Ella was left in tears after comments made by Hollywood star Mickey before he was booted out of the house. During a task, Ella said: “I have instructions for us all. We’re not allowed in the bedroom, no one is allowed to touch the crisps or sweets,” Ella informed the group. ” Mickey then told her: “I don’t like them” before Ella responded: “You’ve got to come with me! “
The film star then shocked everyone, replying to her: “Come in you? ” After the awkward comment, Drag Race star Danny Bear, 32, pulled him into line, saying: “Mickey, you can’t make them jokes. ” Ella then went to the diary room and said: “He’s making me feel on edge. I’m a young girl. I’m not a piece of meat. He’s making people feel so uneasy. “
Ella was left in tears after it was revealed she was nominated for eviction(Image: ITV)
Elsewhere in the episode, The Only Way Is Essex star Ella was left in tears after she was exposed by Big Brother for breaking a major rule. During a chat with children’s telly presenter, Angellica Bell, Ella said: “I feel like I’ll be next up because who else would it be. JoJo and Chris won’t put each other up, Jack won’t put Chris or JoJo up and Chesney won’t put either of them up. They’re not going to put Danny up are they or Donna, do you know what I mean, or you.
“If it was me I’ll be honest, I’d be quite happy, I’ve had enough now, I’m happy to go home and get back to normal life. ” Ella later got in trouble with Big Brother for her comments and was sent to the garden jail. Whilst she was there, she was left in tears as she had to ride out her punishment for breaking the rules.
When her rule break was exposed, she told her housemates she was ready to go home.
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Celebrity Big Brother airs Sunday to Monday at 9pm on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.
