ICC names contenders for Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year

On Sunday, December 29, the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the nominees for the Women's ODI Cricketer of the year award. Three experienced top-order batters - Smriti Mandhana, Laura Wolvaardt, and Chamari Athapaththu were named alongside Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland.

Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana amassed 743 runs from 12 innings in the ODI format in 2024. She scored these runs at an impressive average of 61.91 and a commendable strike rate of 96.99. The southpaw amassed an awe-inspiring tally of four centuries in the year. Her highest ODI score of 136 came against South Africa in June. Smriti went on to win the Player of the Series award after amassing 343 runs in three games. She also bagged a solitary wicket in the year and it also came against the Proteas.

Meanwhile, South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt had a forgettable start to 2024 as she scored just seven runs in her first three ODI innings. However, she bounced back memorably and went on a surreal purple patch after the initial struggle. In 12 innings, Wolvaardt scored 697 runs at a staggering average of 87.12. She had a strike rate of 87.34.

Also Check: ICC unveils Top women's T20I cricket performers of 2024

Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu is known for her consistency across formats. She aggregated 458 runs at an average of 65.42 and a strike rate of 101.10. Athapaththu also bowled 290 deliveries this year and bagged nine wickets at 32.22. This is the joint-most number of wickets she has taken in a particular year in the 50-over format. She also became the third-highest run-getter in a Women's ODI encounter when she slammed an unbeaten 195 off 139 deliveries against South Africa in Potchefstroom.

Annabel Sutherland also had a phenomenal year, especially in the backend, as she impressed fans as well as experts with her all-round skills. She scored 369 runs from nine innings at an average of 52.71 and a strike rate of 100.27. Meanwhile, with the ball, she bagged 13 wickets at an average of 17.69 at an economy rate of 4.19. The 23-year-old won the Player of the Series award against India in December after scoring 122 runs and taking six wickets across three games.