An image capturing the shock on the face of Adelaide Strikers heavy hitter Craig Simmons as his bat breaks loose and sails away from his handle has won the coveted Wisden–MCC Cricket Photograph of the Year Competition.

Getty Images photographer Robert Cianflone captured the moment during the KFC Big Bash League semi-final between Adelaide and the Sydney Sixers in January 2015.

"As a judge going through lots of pictures it’s a great feeling when you come across a shot like Robert’s," said chairman of the judging panel, Chris Smith.

"It was this picture that made us stop and look. It demanded attention. All the elements came together in a beautifully composed image with no little humour."

WATCH: Simmons bat snaps in BBL semi

Smith is the former Chief Sports Photographer of London's The Sunday Times. The judging panel also included world-renowned cricket photographer Patrick Eagar, award-winning sports photographer Bob Thomas and former art director of The Cricketer magazine, Nigel Davies, along with former chief photographer of the New Musical Express, Kevin Cummins.

Winner

Robert Cianflone, Getty Images

Craig Simmons of Adelaide Strikers breaks his bat during the Big Bash League semi-final between the Strikers and Sydney Sixers.

Runners-up

Darrian Traynor, Getty Images

Dale Dhamarrandji, from Gapuwiyak, Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory, has an impromptu practice session in the dry Todd River with his Miwatj Dolphins teammates during the 2015 Imparja Cup, a tournament for Indigenous Australians.

Vishnur V. Nair, Malayala Manorama

A group of local youths in Dadar play on – despite scant equipment and monsoon rain.

Shortlisted

Gareth Copley, Getty Images

Stuart Broad bowls to Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq during day three of the Second Test between Pakistan and England in Dubai.

Barry Gill, amateur photographer

The ball lodges behind the grille of Pateley Bridge CC batsman Colin Chadwick during a match against West Tanfield CC in Division Two of the Theakston Nidderdale Cricket League. Chadwick was unhurt and made 53 not out.

Randy Brooks, Brooks LaTouche Photography

Twin sisters Kycia and Kyshona Knight celebrate victory in a Super Over after the third and final Twenty20 international between the West Indies and Pakistan was initially tied in Granada.

David Rowe, freelance

Kumar Sangakkara demolishes the stumps after risking a quick single for Surrey against Nottinghamshire in the semi-final of the Royal London One-Day Cup. Sangakkara survived, and made a match-winning 166.

Abu Taher Khokon, Bangladesh Pratidin

Nasir Hossain of Bangladesh is bowled by Chris Morris in the first one-day international between Bangladesh and South Africa.

Tom Ballard, amateur photographer

Fran Wilson (left) and Alex Hartley (right) take a single for Middlesex against Sussex in the NatWest WCT20 at Arundel Castle in West Sussex.

Scott Barbour, Getty Images

Openers Chris Gayle and Aaron Finch of the Melbourne Renegades receive a warm welcome at the start of their KFC Big Bash League encounter with the Perth Scorchers.

Alex Massie, amateur photographer

Booni Cricket Club host the Wounded Tiger XI, a British team who toured North-West Pakistan. The image was taken at Booni in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.