The 2024 Scottish Sports Awards will be a thrilling event, uniting Scotland’s sporting talent to celebrate exceptional achievements, with women’s cricket taking a central role this year.
Kathryn Bryce, a star in Scottish cricket, is a finalist in the Female Athlete of the Year category. Known for her skill as an all-rounder, Bryce has made 54 international appearances (5 ODIs and 49 T20Is), amassing 1,574 runs, including 301 in ODIs and an impressive 1,273 in T20Is at an average of 37.44. Her T20I bowling record is equally outstanding, with 48 wickets at an average of 15.14, and she has also taken 5 ODI wickets.
Her form in 2024 has been spectacular, scoring 253 runs over 9 matches at an average of 42.16, with a top score of 63* against Thailand, and taking 11 wickets, including a remarkable 4 for 8 against Ireland in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier semi-final. Her efforts in that match, where she also scored an unbeaten 35 off 29 balls, earned her the Player of the Match award.
In the Young Athlete of the Year category, Nayma Sheikh is a finalist as she represents the bright future of Scottish women’s cricket. At just 18, she has already made her mark, debuting in 2023 with an ODI appearance on October 21 against Ireland and a T20I debut against Thailand on July 10. Her ODI best figures of 1 for 8 came against Papua New Guinea, while her T20I career has shown promise, with 6 wickets from 7 matches, including an outstanding 4 for 14 against the Netherlands.
Nayma’s inclusion in this category speaks to her potential and the growing impact of young talent in women’s cricket while in the Team of the Year category, the Scotland Women’s Cricket Team is celebrated for its record-breaking achievements.
Under Bryce’s leadership, the team reached a historic milestone by qualifying for their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Over the past year, they played 12 T20Is, winning 6 and finishing as runners-up in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier, securing their place for the first time at the T20 World Cup. Their success extended to ODIs as well, with 5 wins out of 6 matches, underscoring the team’s growing influence and strength in Scottish sport.
These honor not only the exceptional accomplishments of women’s cricket in Scotland but also celebrate the broader landscape of Scottish sports. Bryce, Nayma, and the Scotland Women’s Cricket Team stand proudly among other elite athletes and teams, symbolizing a new era where women’s cricket continues to inspire future generations and strengthen its place in Scotland’s sporting heritage.
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