Chamari Athapaththu and Laura Wolvaardt Among Nominees for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year
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In Dubai, on December 29, (NationPress) Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu has received a nomination for the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2024, joining two finalists from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Melie Kerr and Laura Wolvaardt, along with Orla Prendergast from Ireland.
Even though she faced challenges during the Women’s T20 World Cup, Athapaththu emerged as the second-highest run-scorer in women’s T20Is for the year, amassing 720 runs that included two centuries and four half-centuries, complemented by 86 fours and 32 sixes. In addition to her batting prowess, she also claimed 21 wickets throughout the year.
Melie Kerr had an outstanding year, capturing a maiden Women’s T20 World Cup title and setting the national record for the most Women’s T20I wickets in a single year. The all-rounder played a significant role in the top order, scoring five innings of 40 or more runs.
Her crowning achievement was during the White Ferns’ victorious campaign, where she accumulated 135 runs and took 15 wickets (a record for the Women’s T20 World Cup) in a memorable win. As the tournament progressed, Kerr’s performance peaked, especially in the knockout stages.
Laura Wolvaardt, who took on the role of captain in late 2023, made an impressive start to the year with significant scores against Australia and Sri Lanka, which included her first T20I century that secured a victory against the Island Nation in Benoni.
Wolvaardt's remarkable form extended into the Women’s T20 World Cup, where she was the tournament's leading run-scorer and led her team to their first final.
Orla Prendergast concluded 2024 as Ireland's second-highest run-scorer and the top wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is for a calendar year, with her stellar performance being crucial for Ireland's success in the format.
Throughout the year, Ireland achieved whitewashes over Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, with Prendergast playing a pivotal role in both series and earning the Player of the Series accolade in the latter. Her commendable performances also helped secure a tied series against stronger teams like England and Sri Lanka.
