ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year Nominees Announced

The apex cricket governing body that is the International Cricket Council (ICC) has shortlisted the nominations for the Women’s Cricketer of the Year in the T20I format. Interestingly, the list will include the best players of the year. In terms of the close competition for the prestigious title, Sri Lanka Captain Chamari Athapaththu is at the top of the batting charts. The Lankan batter hit 720 runs in 21 matches with an average of 40 which is quite a decent average.

During these games, she hit an unbeaten century (119*) as well to make the innings even more spectacular. She ended the tournament with two centuries and four fifty plus scores respectively. Not only that but she was also quite useful with the ball as well. Athapaththu was quite an effective bowler for Sri Lanka Women, too, taking 21 wickets.

Besides her, Mellie Ker was also included in the list of players to make the cut. The New Zealander was outstanding in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 tournament. She took most number of wickets in the T20I format and clinched the first ever World Cup trophy. Moreover, she also came up with the bat and looked good while making scores in excess of 40 runs on five occasions which included her opening the innings for New Zealand. The all rounder in the making thus finished the tournament with 135 runs and 15 wickets to her name.

ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024 - Nominees 🏅

🇳🇿 Melie Kerr
☘️Orla Prendergast
🇿🇦 Laura Wolvaardt
🇱🇰 Chamari Athapaththu

Who will win the T20I Cricketer of the Year?#ICCAwards pic.twitter.com/dVQp9FVsG3

— Women’s CricZone (@WomensCricZone) December 29, 2024

Laura Wolvaardt: South Africa's Standout Performer Leads Team to First-Ever T20 World Cup Final

The next candidate in the nominations is none other than the South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt. She was the standout performer for her side right from the opening game against Sri Lanka and the Australia women’s team. Wolvaardt carried her good form from the ODI format into the T20 World Cup as well and was the top run-scorer as an opener for South Africa. Consequently, the Rainbow Nation was able to break into their first ever T20 World Cup final.

The last nomination was received in the form of Ireland Women pace bowler Orla Prendergast. The Irish bowler was quite effective in the bowling department especially in the 2nd T20I game which was played against England Women in September. She picked up 2 wickets in 4 overs that she bowled and gave away 31 runs. Subsequently, Prendergast came in at the third position and made the most of her innings by scoring 80 runs which was her best ever knock. Finally Ireland Women hunted down 170 runs within the last over to win the match.