England cricketers Joe Root, Anya Shrubsole, Callum Flynn and Dan Lawrence have been honoured as the the best players of the 2015/16 season at the England Team Awards dinner.
World number two ranked batsman Root picked up a hat-trick of awards with both the Test and Limited Overs awards for England Men, while also scooping the fans’ choice for England Men’s Player of the Year.
Recently retired England Women’s captain Charlotte Edwards was fans’ Women’s Player of the Year and Sky Sports commentator and former England Coach David Lloyd received the ECB’s Special Achievement Award.
The awards, supported by Waitrose, recognise outstanding individual performances in all formats of international cricket over the last 12 months, were presented at a celebration dinner in Leeds.
Yorkshire batsman Root spoke to the ECB after capping a stellar year with the awards.
"It's hard to look past winning the Ashes as a highlight," Root said of his last 12 months in Leeds last night. "To have had such a strong Ashes series was really pleasing as Australia were the one side who I'd not really scored big runs against. I was very keen to put that right.
"Then going to South Africa and coming away with a Test series win was a fantastic effort from all the players and it gives us a lot of confidence going into this summer.
"During the last 12 months or so, we've come a long way and kept improving. To be able to say I've contributed makes me really pleased and proud.
"You can't win these personal awards without great people – and great team players – around you. These personal awards are great, but they don't mean as much as the ones you win together."
ECB Chief Executive Officer Tom Harrison said: “It’s been a remarkable year for our international teams – the Women’s Ashes attracted record attendances and unprecedented levels of media interest, our physical disability team won the inaugural Physical Disability World Cup in Bangladesh, and our men’s team regained the Ashes, won a major Test series in South Africa, and reached the final of the World T20 tournament.
“Each of the players honoured tonight has made a big contribution to England cricket, helping to win matches and to inspire a wider audience and deserves the highest praise.”
Root will be part of the England side that take on Sri Lanka at The SSE SWALEC, Cardiff on July 2. Tickets are still available from here.