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Cricket Writers’ Club Awards: Gus Atkinson and Sophie Ecclestone take top honors
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Cricket Writers’ Club Awards: Gus Atkinson and Sophie Ecclestone take top honors

Atkinson won the Bob Willis Trophy, awarded to the English men’s or women’s player of the year, after an impressive start to his Test career.

The 26-year-old picked up 12 wickets in his first Test at Lord’s as England beat West Indies by an innings and 114 runs, before adding match figures of 6 to 95 in the farewell Test of ‘Anderson.

Atkinson returned to Lord’s in August to score his maiden century against Sri Lanka and become the first England number eight to score a Test ton in 11 years.

“I was just hoping to make my England Test debut, and to have the summer I’ve had, it’s a huge honor and to get this award at the end tops it all off,” Atkinson said.

“My debut, taking 12 wickets, was very special, and playing in Jimmy’s last Test was a great honour. My favorite moment was probably that century against Sri Lanka.”

Ecclestone, 25, a Women’s Cricket Award winner, became the fastest woman to take 100 ODI wickets earlier this year.

Reaching the mark in 63 innings, the left-arm spinner bettered the record of Australia’s Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who took an innings more to achieve the feat.

Bashir joined a star-studded list including Sir Geoffrey Boycott, Sir Ian Botham and Nasser Hussain in winning the Young Player of the Year award.

At 20 years and 282 days old, he became the youngest English bowler to take five innings wickets in a home Test with 5-41 against the West Indies at Trent Bridge.

“It’s been really special. With a lot of hard work, I’m grateful to play for my country. Long may it continue,” Bashir said.