The nominees for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 have been announced. Surprisingly, no Indian has made it to the list which has four players from different countries.
The four players who have made it to the list are Chamari Athapaththu, Amelia Kerr, Annabel Sutherland, and Laura Wolvaardt. All these players have had a fantastic year and have made their vital contributions for their respective teams.
Also read: Jasprit Bumrah vs….! ICC Test Cricketer of the Year 2024 contenders announced
ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 nominees: Chamari Athapaththu
Chamari Athapaththu has scored 458 runs in nine ODIs this year at an average of 65.42 with the highest score of 195. Athapaththu has also scored 9 wickets with her off-spin bowling with the best of 3-15.
The Sri Lankan captain has also scored 720 runs across 21 T20Is at an average of 40 with the best score of 119. She also picked up 21 wickets at an average of 4-29. She led the way for her country with some world-class skills with both bat and ball.
Chamari Athapaththu played a key role in Sri Lanka’s historic Asia Cup win in July this year. She was adjudged the Player of the tournament for 304 runs with the bat and 3 wickets with the ball. The skipper scored a crucial 61 off 43 balls in the final to lead her team to a title win.
ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 nominees: Amelia Kerr
Amelia Kerr had one of the best years of her playing career in 2024. She scored 264 runs in 9 ODIs at an average of 33 with the best score of 57. The allrounder also picked up 14 wickets with her quality leg-spin bowling with the best of 4-42.
But her best came in the T20I format. She scored 387 runs in 18 T20Is at an average of 24.18 and also picked up 29 wickets with the best figures of 4-20. Her all-round performance helped New Zealand clinch their maiden T20 World Cup win this year.
Amelia Kerr was adjudged the Player of the Match in the final and also the Player of the Tournament for her brilliance with both bat and ball. She scored 135 runs and picked up 15 wickets. She was also the highest wicket-taker of the tournament held in the UAE.
ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 nominees: Annabel Sutherland
Annabel Sutherland has grown in stature this year with some incredible performances with both bat and ball across formats. Surprisingly, she didn’t play any T20I due to Australia’s incredible bench strength.
However, Sutherland played one Test and 12 ODIs this year. She scored 210 runs in the only Test innings against South Africa in Perth, which is also her personal best score. She also picked up five wickets in the same Test match to power Australia to a massive victory.
The Australian allrounder also scored 369 runs at an average of 52.71 in the ODI format and also picked up 13 wickets with the best of 4-39. Recently, Sutherland became the first ever cricketer in women’s ODIs to score two consecutive hundreds while batting at No. 5 or lower during the ODIs in New Zealand.
ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 nominees: Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt is the only player among the list for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2024 who is not an all-rounder. The South African opener has scored 223 runs in three Tests at an average of 37.16 and 697 runs in 12 ODIs at a staggering average of 87.12.
Wolvaardt also scored 673 runs in nine T20Is at an average of 39.58. She played a vital role in South Africa’s road to the final in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. She emerged as the highest run-getter of the tournament with 223 runs in six matches at an average of 44.60 and a strike rate of 113.19.
She is also the top-ranked batter in the ODI format. Her best score came against Sri Lanka in April when she scored an unbeaten 184. As South Africa’s all-format captain, Wolvaardt has led her team from the front.