Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley, Jason Holder, Mohammad Rizwan and Darren Stevens have been named Wisden Cricketers of the Year in the 2021 edition of the Wisden Almanack.
Ben Stokes has been named Leading Cricketer in the World for the second year in a row, while Australia’s Beth Mooney has been awarded the title of Leading Woman Cricketer in the World. Kieron Pollard has earned the gong of Leading T20 Cricketer in the World.
Sibley established himself as an England Test opener in 2020 and impressed particularly against West Indies, hitting two half-centuries and a ton in the hosts’ 2-1 series win.
Crawley made a name for himself in the three-Test series that followed against Pakistan, with his innings of 267 at the Ageas Bowl the tenth-highest score ever by an England player.
Holder was at the helm when West Indies toured England and played a central role in his side’s only win over England, taking first-innings figures of 6-42.
Rizwan was rewarded for both his work behind the stumps and his batting – he averaged more than 40 across three Tests – for Pakistan during their 1-0 series defeat to England.
By earning the award at the age of 44, Darren Stevens is Wisden’s oldest Cricketer of the Year in 88 years and the fourth-oldest ever. The Kent all-rounder was the third-highest wicket-taker in the 2020 Bob Willis Trophy, with his 29 wickets delivered at an average of 15.58.
On Stokes being named the Leading Cricketer in the World again, Wisden editor Lawrence Booth said: “His haul of 641 Test runs at 58 in the calendar year was more than anyone else, while his 19 wickets cost just 18 apiece. He did it all against a backdrop of personal tragedy: his father, Ged, died in December at the age of 65.”
Mooney was named Leading Woman Cricketer in the World after starring in last year’s women’s T20 World Cup, in which she finished as the leading run-scorer.
Pollard’s T20 recognition came after he helped the Trinbago Knight Riders to CPL glory and the Mumbai Indians to another IPL title, displaying his well-renowned six-hitting skills along the way.
The 2021 edition of the Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack is out now.
