ICC reveals nominees for ‘Women Cricketer of the Year 2024’ award, no place for Smriti Mandhan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has published its list of nominees for Female Cricketer of the Year Awards 2024shedding light on players who have left an indelible mark on the world of cricket with their extraordinary skills and match-winning performances across formats. The list celebrates those who have consistently excelled on the global stage, contributing significantly to their teams’ successes throughout the year.

However, a surprising omission has caught the attention of fans and experts alike—the vice-captain of the Indian cricket team Smriti Mandhanwidely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the game, did not make the cut. This unexpected exclusion sparked widespread debate and discussion, with many questioning the criteria and fairness of the selection process.

The nominees and their stellar performances

Chamari Athapatthu Sri Lanka deserved the nomination for their leadership and all-round contribution. She scored more than 720 runs in T20Is at an average of 41.27 and took 21 wickets, playing a key role in Sri Lanka’s maiden Asia Cup triumph. She also amassed 458 runs in 9 ODIs and an unbeaten 195 was her best.

Similarly, Amelia Kerr from New Zealand was nominated for her exceptional year, highlighted by her performance in the T20 World Cup where she was the leading wicket taker with 29 wickets and scored 387 runs. Her all-round ability was vital for New Zealand. She also scored 264 runs in 9 ODIs with one 50.

Australia Annabel Sutherland also secured a place in the list, after scoring 651 runs and claiming 43 wickets across all formats. Her performances in the T20 World Cup and her consistent performance in the ODIs have been crucial for Australia.

Captain of South Africa Laura Wolvaardt is also making a difference, leading the way with the bat in the T20 World Cup and scoring more than 1,500 runs across all formats. Her leadership in guiding South Africa to their second consecutive T20 World Cup final was commendable.

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Omission of Smriti Mandhana

Despite leading the scoring charts in ODIs and T20Is, Mandhana did not secure a nomination for the award. She scored 747 runs in ODIs at an average of 57.46, including four centuries, and 763 runs in T20Is at an average of 42.38. She even played one test and scored 149 points. Her omission from the list caused considerable debate, with many fans and experts questioning the selection criteria.

Mandhana’s performances throughout the year were exceptional, yet she was overlooked for the nomination, leading to discussions on social media platforms where cricket enthusiasts expressed their surprise and disappointment. Some argued that her consistent scoring and the impact she had on games should have made her a contender for the award.

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This article was first published on WomenCricket.comand Cricket times company.