The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced awards for women and men cricketers, recognizing their outstanding performances across all formats in 2024.
ICC Women’s T20I Cricket Player 2024
It was announced by the ICC on Saturday New Zealand‘s star versatile, Amelia Kerras the recipient of the prestigious Women’s T20I Cricket of the Year Award 2024. This accolade highlights her outstanding contribution in the shortest format of the game, particularly during a stellar year that included guiding New Zealand to their maiden ICC Women’s T20I World Cup triumph. Kerr, who played a key role in New Zealand’s historic win at the ICC Women’s T20I World Cup in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has been selected in place of the Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapatthuthe South African skipper Laura Wolvaardtand Irish all-around Orla Prendergast.
Bowling Masterclass: Leading the world with the ball
Kerr’s bowling performances in 2024 have been nothing short of exceptional. In 18 matches, she scalped an incredible 29 wickets at an average of 15.55, consistently delivering results at key moments. Her outstanding display was against Australia in September 2024 at MacKay, where she smashed a formidable Australian line-up with figures of 4/20.
Her dominance carried over to the T20 World Cup, where she became the tournament’s top wicket-taker, with 15 wickets at an incredible average of 7.33 and an economy rate of just 4.85. This included another four-wicket haul against Australia in the group stage and influential spells in New Zealand’s wins over Sri Lanka, Pakistan and West Indies in the semi-finals. Kerr’s ability to break up partnerships and apply pressure with his precision bowling has proved key to New Zealand’s success at the World Cup.
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All-round excellence: Contributes with bat
Kerr’s contribution was not limited to her bowling. A reliable all-rounder, she amassed 387 runs in T20Is during the year, at an average of 24.18. Her performances with the bat were especially crucial in high-stakes matches. In the World Cup final against South Africa, she anchored the New Zealand innings with 43 off 38 balls on a tricky pitch, helping her team set a competitive target of 158. During the tournament, she amassed 135 runs in six matches at an average of 27, ranking her among top ten scorers. Her ability to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations underlined her immense value to the New Zealand side.
Historic T20 World Cup 2024 campaign
Kerr’s all-round brilliance was the cornerstone of New Zealand’s maiden ICC Women’s T20I World League triumph. She was instrumental in their first-round win over India, where her controlled bowling stifled the opposition. Despite losing to Australia in the group stage, where she took four wickets, Kerr helped the team bounce back with impressive performances in the subsequent matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
In the semi-final against the West Indies, Kerr once again rose to the occasion, providing both bat and ball to lead her team to the final. Against South Africa in Dubai, Kerr delivered a winning performance in the final. Apart from her vital batting, she took 3/24 with the ball, dismissing key batsmen like captain Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch. Her efforts secured a 32-run victory for New Zealand, sparking celebrations in Dubai.
Amelia Kerr’s contribution did not go unnoticed as she was named player of the match in the World Cup final and also received the prestigious Player of the Tournament award for her all-round heroics. Her performances also made her the second New Zealand cricketer to win the ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Year award, after Suzie Bates in 2016.
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This article was first published on WomenCricket.comand Cricket times company.
