The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the nominees for the Women’s Player of the Month (POTM) for January 2024. From Ireland’s tour of Zimbabwe, an 18-year-old top-order batter makes the cut, while a veteran Australian duo, who have showcased their prowess during series against India and South Africa, complete the trio.
Amy Hunter (Ireland)
The 18-year-old batter kicked off her Zimbabwe campaign with successive scores of 36* and 21, and though departed cheaply for 1 in the 3rd and final One-Day International (ODI), she translated her notable form into the Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
Amy Hunter in the T20I opener smashed a 66-ball 101*, including 13 fours and 1 six, and followed up with yet another match-winning knock, notching up a mature 57-ball 77*. In the 3rd T20I, her 29-ball 42 helped Ireland build on the foundation she laid. Post a couple of T20Is in February, she finished with the 3rd most runs (239) in the bilateral T20I series between 2 full members, playing a vital role in Ireland’s 5-0 series win. With this performance, Amy made it into nominations for ICC Women’s Player of the Month January 2024.
Beth Mooney (Australia)
In her only ODI outing in January, the 30-year-old batter departed for 3; however, in 6 T20Is – three each against India (away) and South Africa (home) – she amassed 256 runs at an average of 64.00 and a strike rate of 118.51, registering the highest score of 82.
Capitalizing on her starts of 17 and 20 against India, Beth blazed a 45-ball 52* in the decider, 3rd T20I, guiding Australia to a series win. Continuing this form, Beth posted up a 57-ball 72* in the T20I opener against South Africa, and in the series decider, she delivered another important knock of 55-ball 82, helping Australia chase down a competitive total in a thriller.
Alyssa Healy (Australia)
The 33-year-old keeper-batter, striking at 138.09 and averaging 29.00, added 174 runs to the tally, including the highest of 55, from 6 outings. Healy followed up her scores of 8 and 26 against India with a 38-ball 55 in the must-win T20I decider.
Healy kicked off the home South Africa series striking at 164.28, for her 28-ball 46, as she, alongside Mooney, assured Australia’s convincing win in the opening fixture. She posted scores of 29 and 10 in the remaining couple of games; however, a bigger goal was achieved. Since taking on full-time captaincy in December, she registered series wins against both India and South Africa.
