The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named the nominations for the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024. South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt, India's Smriti Mandhana, Australia's Annabel Sutherland and Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu are the four players who will battle it out for the title. .
South Africa Women's National Cricket Team's Laura Wolvaardt has been one of the main performers behind her team's success in ODIs. The opening batsman played 12 innings in 2024 and scored 697 runs at 87.12 and a strike rate of 87.34, ensuring that he leads from the front.
Laura Wolvaardt and Chamari Athapaththu starred for their team in ODIs in 2024
Laura Wolvaardt's best effort with the bat came against the Sri Lankan women's national cricket team in Potchefstroom in April. She registered career best figures of 184* and also hit 23 fours and four massive sixes during her 147-ball innings.
Sri Lanka women's national cricket team captain Chamari Athapaththu has been at his best with bat and ball despite playing fewer ODIs. The left-hander played 9 matches in 2024 and scored 458 runs at an average strike rate of 65.42 and 101.10 respectively. Not only that, she also picked 9 wickets.
Her memorable performance came with the bat during the three-match ODI series against the South African women's national cricket team. The batsman slammed an unbeaten innings of 195 runs and helped his team chase down the massive target of 301 runs with more than five overs to spare. She also hit 26 fours and five massive sixes.
Smriti Mandhana is third nominee for ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024 award for outstanding year with the bat
Indian women's national cricket team batsman Smriti Mandhana is the third nominee for the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024. Given the impact she has had in ODIs this year, it is fair to say that she will be the top contender to win the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024 award.
Smriti Mandhana played 12 ODIs for India in 2024 and was exceptional with the bat as she hit 743 runs at an average of 61.91 and a strike rate of 96.99. The left-hander also slammed four centuries in the year and was the team's best player.
Smriti Mandhana's memorable performance came in the second match of India's home series against South Africa. The batsman played a sensational innings of 136 off just 120 deliveries which included 18 fours and two sixes. Not only that, she also chose a port.
Annabel Sutherland is also among the top contenders to win the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year award
Australia's Annabel Sutherland is also among the top contenders to win the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year award. The young batsman was magnificent with the bat as she played 9 matches and also managed 369 runs at an average of over 53 along with a strike rate of around 100.
Not only that, Sutherland has also picked 13 wickets at an average of 17.69 and an economy of 4.19. Her memorable performance came against India in Perth where she was at her best with the bat as well as the ball. She scored 110 off just 95 deliveries and also picked the wicket of Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur.
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