A sensational all-rounder from Australia has been chosen as the February 2024 ICC Women’s Player of the Month as Annabel Sutherland beats United Arab Emirates’ Esha Oza and Kavisha Egodage to win the accolade. Sutherland scored 229 runs and claimed seven wickets in four matches, 3 One Day Internationals, and a One-Off Test, in February 2024.
After Alyssa Healy, Rachael Haynes, Tahlia McGrath, and Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland became the fifth player from Australia to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award.
In a brief span of four matches, Sutherland managed to accumulate 229 runs and claimed seven wickets, leaving an indelible mark. In the three-match ODI series against South Africa, Sutherland wasn’t required much with the bat, while with the ball, claimed 2 wickets, dismissing Sune Luus and Tazmin Brits, and was excellent in the field. In the One-Off Test that followed, her extraordinary all-round effort was truly exceptional.
Sutherland’s adaptability as an all-rounder proved crucial to the team’s success during the Test match. Australia restricted South Africa to 76 runs, with Sutherland claiming crucial wickets of Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, and Delmi Tucker. However, it was her batting skill that truly stole the limelight.
In an extraordinary demonstration of skill and determination, Sutherland achieved a quick double century, reaching the milestone in just 248 deliveries. This remarkable feat established a new record for the fastest double century in women’s cricket, surpassing the previous benchmark set by Karen Rolton. She became the ninth cricketer to reach a double hundred in a Test match and the fifth Australian to do so. She also became the second youngest double centurion in Test cricket at the age of 22, only surpassed by Mithali Raj, who achieved the feat at 19 years old.
Sutherland’s fiery innings concluded at 210 runs, including 27 boundaries and 2 maximums, just three runs short of Ellyse Perry’s record of 213, the highest Australian individual score in women’s test cricket history. Her performance will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary displays of talent and skill in the history of women’s cricket, as she received her first Player of the Month award for such extraordinary accomplishment.
On being named the Player of the Month, Annabel stated, “It’s a massive honor to be named the Player of the Month and a nice way to cap off a successful home summer for the team. South Africa are always a strong opponent and to be able to perform against them in a home Test is something I’m proud of. Test cricket is always a highlight and to have been able to contribute toward winning that match was really special.”
(Quotes sourced from ICC Media Release)