Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma Named in ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year Captained by Laura Wolvaardt
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Synopsis
Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma have been named in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year, captained by Laura Wolvaardt. Mandhana shone with an impressive 747 runs in 2024, while Sharma excelled with 24 wickets, making significant contributions to their teams.
Key Takeaways
- Smriti Mandhana scored 747 runs in 2024, the highest in women's ODIs.
- Deepti Sharma was India's top bowler with 24 wickets.
- Laura Wolvaardt led the team after scoring 697 runs.
- Chamari Athapaththu had a stellar year with a career-best 195*.
- Hayley Matthews showcased all-round brilliance with 469 runs and 9 wickets.
Dubai, Jan 24 (NationPress) Star Indian batter Smriti Mandhana and all-rounder Deepti Sharma have earned their spots in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year, which is under the leadership of South African batter Laura Wolvaardt. In 2024, Mandhana emerged as the highest run-scorer in women's ODIs, accumulating an impressive 747 runs across just 13 matches. The year kicked off modestly with a 29-run innings against Australia in January. After a six-month break from ODIs, Mandhana made a spectacular comeback against South Africa.
Her consistency shone through in October, where a breathtaking century in a challenging series against New Zealand made her India's leading century-maker in women's ODIs. Mandhana concluded the year with another century at the WACA against Australia and showcased her skills against the West Indies, just missing out on a hundred but scoring two half-centuries.
Laura Wolvaardt had a remarkable year in 2024, racking up 697 runs in just 12 matches. Following a slow start against Australia, she erupted with an unbeaten 110 and a career-best 184* against Sri Lanka in April. Her stellar performance against India included a run-a-ball 135 in Bengaluru, along with a half-century in the series finale. She wrapped up the year with two essential fifties against England, solidifying her position as one of the top ODI stars of 2024.
Chamari Athapaththu had a phenomenal year, showcasing her batting and bowling talents. She scored 458 runs and claimed 9 wickets in just 9 matches. Her career-best innings of 195* against South Africa in April set the tone for her performance. She backed it up with a pivotal 91 against the West Indies during Sri Lanka's 3-0 series victory. Athapaththu's all-round skills were evident in Sri Lanka's last ODI series, where she contributed 48 runs and took 3 wickets in the final match.
Hayley Matthews exhibited exceptional all-round performance in 2024, scoring 469 runs and taking 9 wickets in just 7 matches. She began the year with remarkable innings of 140* and 141 against Pakistan, also taking six wickets in the series. Despite missing some games due to health issues, she bounced back with a century and impactful bowling spells in India, cementing her status as one of the top all-rounders in the sport.
Marizanne Kapp maintained excellent form with both bat and ball, scoring 114 runs and taking 12 wickets over 11 matches. A highlight was her brilliant knock of 114 against India in Bengaluru. She also secured key wickets against England, concluding the year on a high note. Ashleigh Gardner was a reliable force for Australia, contributing 269 runs and 20 wickets in 12 matches. She finished the year with a memorable all-round effort against India, scoring a fifty and taking five wickets, making her indispensable to Australia’s lineup.
Annabel Sutherland experienced a breakout year, amassing 369 runs and taking 13 wickets in 12 matches. Her consecutive centuries against India and New Zealand in the year’s closing months earned her the Player of the Series title and established her as a rising star in women's cricket. Amy Jones combined her batting with wicketkeeping effectively, amassing 382 runs and completing 15 dismissals in 12 matches. Her unbeaten performances of 92* and 50 in crucial matches highlighted her ability to stabilize innings, with her sharp wicketkeeping complementing her batting prowess.
Deepti Sharma stood out as India’s premier bowler, taking 24 wickets in 13 matches while also scoring 186 runs. Her outstanding 6/31 against the West Indies in December was among the year’s best performances, showcasing her game-changing abilities.
Sophie Ecclestone held her ground as the No.1 Women’s ODI Bowler, claiming 21 wickets across 11 matches. Her five-wicket haul against New Zealand and her Player of the Series accolades against Pakistan were key highlights of her year. Kate Cross rounded off a fantastic year with 19 wickets in 13 matches, featuring her career-best 6/30 against Ireland, which underscored her precision and skill, making her a vital player in England’s bowling lineup.
