Sam Curran and Tammy Beaumont named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year for 2018
Sam Curran has been recognised for his breakthrough year with England in 2018 by being named as one of the Wisden Almanack’s five Cricketers of the Year.
Four England players make up the prestigious quintet along with India captain Virat Kohli, who for the third year in a row also claims the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World award.
All-rounder Curran and opening batter Beaumont are joined by Rory Burns and Jos Buttler in the list.
The inclusion of Curran and Burns marks a memorable 2018 for the Surrey pair, lifting the County Championship title and winning their England Test debuts.
Curran was the man of the series in England’s series win over India, catching the eye 13 wickets and crucial runs in the Tests at Edgbaston and Ageas Bowl.
Wisden editor Lawrence Booth, said: “Sam Curran was central to England’s 4-1 Test win over India, the world’s number one ranked side, turning the games at Edgbaston and Southampton with hard-hit half-centuries.
“He also removed India’s top three in eight balls at Edgbaston, and continued his form in Sri Lanka with a six-filled 64 in Pallekele.”
Burns captained Surrey to their Division One triumph and was finally given a chance to elevate his county form into Test cricket after scoring 1,000 runs in his last five county campaigns.
Now tasked with being the answer to Alastair Cook at the top of England’s order, Burns topped the run-scoring charts with 1,359 runs for Surrey.
England Women star Tammy Beaumont scored a record 628 runs last summer and also claimed fastest T20 hundred, taking 47 balls to reach three figures in wrapping up the series win over South Africa.
Beaumont becomes the fifth woman to win the Wisden accolade since it was introduced in 1889, with teammates Anya Shrubsole, Heather Knight and Nat Sciver doing the same last year.
“It’s a real honour to be named as one of Wisden’s five Cricketers of the Year,” said Beaumont. “To be recognised like this, with such a special award, is just so brilliant.
“When I was younger and first playing the game I remember people telling me I’d never play cricket for England because my hands were too small but deep down I always believed I could do it.
“I was so proud of my three team-mates who won last year and it means a lot to follow in their footsteps and become the sixth woman to ever win this award.”
Jos Buttler rekindled his Test career by starring for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL, translating his white-ball success into the longer format with England and being named as vice-captain to Joe Root.