Amelia Kerr Receives ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year Award for 2024
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Synopsis
Amelia Kerr, the New Zealand all-rounder, has been awarded the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for 2024 due to her remarkable performances, leading her team to victory in the T20 World Cup, making her the second New Zealand woman to achieve this honor.
Key Takeaways
- Amelia Kerr won ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2024.
- She scored 387 runs and took 29 wickets in T20Is.
- Second New Zealand woman to win this award after Suzie Bates.
- Achieved 15 wickets in T20 World Cup, a record.
- Named Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament.
New Delhi, Jan 25 (NationPress) New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr has been honored as the recipient of the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award for 2024. She triumphed over strong contenders including Ireland's Orla Prendergast, Sri Lanka's captain Chamari Athapaththu, and South Africa's skipper Laura Wolvaardt to secure this prestigious accolade.
Amelia has now become the second female cricketer from New Zealand to win this award, following the legendary Suzie Bates (2016). In 2024, she showcased her exceptional skills in T20Is, accumulating 387 runs at an average of 24.18 and taking 29 wickets at an average of 15.55. This remarkable performance coincided with New Zealand's historic victory in the T20 World Cup.
“Winning the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award is incredibly significant to me. Especially during a T20 World Cup year, this format holds immense value. I appreciate the trust the White Ferns have placed in me, and I cherish the support from my teammates,” Amelia stated in an ICC announcement on Saturday.
Throughout New Zealand's successful T20 World Cup campaign, she took 15 wickets, marking the highest tally ever recorded by a single bowler in the tournament's history, with an average of 7.33 and an economy rate of 4.85 over six matches.
Amelia also scored 135 runs in six innings at an average of 27, placing her among the top ten run-scorers of the tournament. Notably, after an impressive performance against India in the opening match in Dubai, she secured four wickets against the defending champion Australia, despite New Zealand's loss in that match.
Her outstanding bowling performances continued, contributing to victories over Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and the semi-final win against West Indies, culminating in her final match heroics in Dubai. On a challenging pitch against a formidable South African bowling unit, Kerr top-scored with a vital 43 off 38 balls, helping New Zealand reach a competitive total of 158.
With the ball, she achieved figures of 3-24, claiming critical wickets including captain Laura Wolvaardt and the dangerous Anneke Bosch, effectively derailing South Africa’s chase. Additionally, she executed a brilliant catch to dismiss Nadine de Klerk.
Her exceptional all-around performance led to a 32-run victory for New Zealand, igniting celebrations in Dubai, with Amelia not only being named Player of the Match but also receiving the Player of the Tournament honor.
