Mitch Marsh has been awarded the Allan Border Medal in front of an all-star cast during cricket's most glamorous night of the year at the Australian Cricket Awards in Melbourne.
In the women's game, Ashleigh Gardner scooped the Belinda Clark Award for the second time in her career after another stellar year.
Mitch Marsh wins Allan Border Medal at Australian Cricket Awards 2024
"I thought I was done and dusted," an emotional Marsh said at the podium.
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Marsh returned to the Test side after a four-year absence to play a starring role for the Aussies in the third Ashes Test in England.
He blasted a century in that match and hasn't looked back since, as he's gone on to average 66 with the bat while also claiming five wickets during a brilliant year for the national side in red-ball cricket.
His confidence at an all-time high, Marsh also made some stunning ODI contributions as Australia went on to claim the World Cup with the all-rounder belting two centuries in the tournament.
"I often spoke to my wife and told her that I just wanted to get one more crack at it, and it's been amazing," Marsh said.
"I hope me winning this isn't like Covid and we look back in three years time and think, 'that was a weird time'."
Prior to the ceremony, Marsh was touted by many as the favourite to claim the prestigious medal after impressing throughout the year.
"I'd love to see Mitchy get it," Pat Cummins - who was also in the frame for the award - said before the winner was announced.
"He's banged down the door and demanded a spot in all three formats."
The skipper was named as one of three finalists alongside Marsh and four-time recipient of the Allan Border Medal, Steve Smith.
Australia's new Test opener had a shot at history with a win as he could have become the first man to pick up five Allan Border Medals to take him above fellow former captains Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, who also sit on four medals.
However, Marsh topped the count with 223 votes, with Cummins polling 144 and Smith 141.
Year of the Bison 🦬
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 31, 2024
Mitch Marsh cements his standing in Australian Cricket history as the 2023 Allan Border Medallist! #AusCricketAwards pic.twitter.com/LaMaUiSHiu
Ash Gardner wins her second Belinda Clark Award
Meanwhile, Gardner beat out competition from Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland to win the Belinda Clark Award.
The all-rounder, who previously won the award in 2022, was named Player of the Tournament in the women’s T20 World Cup as she claimed ten wickets at 12.50 and scored 110 runs.
Her crowning achievement for the year coming during the Ashes Test at Trent Bridge when she made history with 12 wickets for the match.
Gardner won 147 votes to take home the award with Perry not far behind on 134 and Sutherland rounding out the top three with 106 votes.
An incredible 12 months, capped off by THAT Ashes Test 🤩
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 31, 2024
Ash Gardner continues to take the world by storm, now crowned as the 2023 Belinda Clark Award winner! #AusCricketAwards pic.twitter.com/DM2St98GaK
Australian Cricket Awards 2024 results
Earlier in the night, Cameron Bancroft put the disappointment of missing out on Test selection behind him by claiming the Men's Domestic Cricketer of the Year award.
The opener was rewarded for his fine form in Sheffield Shield, as he notched 299 runs at 49.83.
"I'm really proud to receive this prestigious award," the 31-year-old said.
"To be recognised by other players around the country is very special and I feel honoured.
"There have been a lot of great players win this award and in years gone by, they were the players I've looked up to and aspired to.
"The award is a recognition of a lot of hard work, and a nice checkpoint to keep working towards what I want to achieve in cricket."
Elsewhere, Sophie Day and Elyse Villani were unable to be split as the duo were jointly awarded the Women's Domestic Cricketer of the Year award.
You can’t split the WNCL form of Sophie Day and Elyse Villani, as a stalwart of WA dominance claims bragging rights as the male Domestic Player of the Year 👏
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 31, 2024
#AusCricketAwards pic.twitter.com/R8CyxLepHb
"It's something a little bit unexpected - to be voted by my peers means a lot to me," Day said after starring for Victoria and the Melbourne Stars.
"Cricket is a roller coaster and having unwavering support throughout my career has allowed me to continue to love this wonderful game and for that, I will be forever grateful," Villani said as she thanked her family and friends for their support.
In the Big Bash League, it was another night to remember for opener Matthew Short as he bagged the Player of the Tournament award for the second consecutive year after starring for the Adelaide Strikers with 541 runs.
It completed a successful night for the Victorian, who was also named captain of the BBL Team of the Tournament.
"Getting the opportunity a few years ago at the top of the order is something I'm really grateful for and something that really took off and suits my game," the 28-year-old said.
"A lot of hard work has been put in for this moment and I'm really looking forward to the opportunities I'm getting in the next couple of weeks in the Australian team."
Chamari Athapaththu won the WBBL|09 award, which was revealed last year, after the Sri Lankan starred for Sydney Thunder.
Matt Short goes back-to-back as the @bbl’s best!
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 31, 2024
And let’s not forget @58chamari’s incredible @wbbl campaign – from undrafted, to Player of the Tournament #AusCricketAwards pic.twitter.com/dqyb73izDg
Australian Cricket Awards 2024 results: Full list of winners
- Allan Border Medalist - Mitch Marsh
- Belinda Clark Award - Ashleigh Gardner
- Shane Warne's Men's Test Player of the Year - Nathan Lyon
- Men's ODI Player of the Year - Mitch Marsh
- Women's ODI Player of the Year - Ellyse Perry
- Men's T20I Player of the Year - Jason Behrendorff
- Women's T20I Player of the Year - Ellyse Perry
- Men's Domestic Cricketer of the Year - Cameron Bancroft
- Women's Domestic Cricketer of the Year - Sophie Day & Elyse Villani
- BBL Player of the Tournament - Matt Short
- Bradman Young Cricketer of the Year - Fergus O'Neill
- Betty Wilson Young Cricketer of the Year - Emma de Broughe
- Community Impact Award - Ashleigh Gardner
When was the voting period for the Australian Cricket Awards 2024 and how does it work?
The period of matches from 2 January 2023 to 9 January 2024 determined the winners in each category.
Votes are weighted in the count for the Allan Border Medal with votes from Test matches drawing twice as much worth as ODI games and three times as much as T20I votes.
Teammates, match referees or umpires and members of the media all contribute to the count with a 3-2-1 voting system cast after every match.
Who won last year's Allan Border Medal?
Steve Smith was named the Allan Border Medalist in 2023.
He became just the third Australian cricketer to receive the honour four times.
He scored three Test centuries at 71.92, while also scoring over 500 runs at 67.37 in the ODI arena to claim the award.
Who won last year's Belinda Clark Award?
Beth Mooney received the Belinda Clark Award at least year's ceremony.
It marked the second time she had won the gong.
She was Australia's leading run scorer during the voting period and helped guide Australia to triumphs in the Ashes, World Cup and Commonwealth Games.
