Fresh off successful campaigns at the recently concluded ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, three standout performers—New Zealand’s Melie Kerr, South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, and West Indies’ Deandra Dottin—are in contention for the October Player of the Month award.
ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for October 2024:
Melie Kerr
The 24-year-old all-rounder played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s maiden T20 World Cup triumph, finishing as their second-highest run-scorer with 135 runs from six outings at an average of 27.00 and she also emerged as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament, claiming 15 wickets at an impressive average of 7.33 and an economy rate of 4.85. Her tally of 15 wickets is a record for the most in a single edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Her best bowling figures, 4/26, came against defending champions Australia, and in the following match against Sri Lanka, she scored 26 runs, her best this season. Her match-winning bowling spells, especially in the Semi-Final and Final, earned her both the Player of the Final and Player of the Tournament awards.
Shortly after the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand faced India for a three-match ODI series in Ahmedabad. Although an injury shortened her tour, she impressed in her only ODI appearance, taking 4/42 and contributing an unbeaten 25* while battling through an injury.
Laura Wolvaardt
The 25-year-old opening batter, who topped the run charts in the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, once again showcased her brilliance, finishing as the leading run-scorer. Laura amassed 223 runs at an average of 44.60 and a strike rate of 113.19 across six outings, guiding South Africa to a second consecutive Final appearance while captaining in her first ICC event.
She began her World Cup campaign with a match-winning 59* off 55 balls in a 10-wicket victory over the West Indies. She maintained her consistency throughout the tournament, posting scores of 42, 40, 7, 42, and 33, remaining unfazed by captaincy pressures even on the grandest stage.
Deandra Dottin
The 33-year-old reversed her international retirement just days before the 2024 World Cup, and in her first match since August 2022, she struck three sublime boundaries before departing for 13. Staying true to her aggressive style, she played impactful cameos, with an unbeaten 28 off 15 balls (2×4, 2×6) against Scotland and 19* off 7 (1×4, 2×6) against Bangladesh.
In a must-win match against England, she contributed with both bat and ball, claiming 1/16 (3) and scoring a crucial 27 off 19 balls (2×4, 2×6). Her innings kept the momentum steady while England looked to fight back with quick wickets, bringing her team close to victory. She saved her best for the Semi-Final, leading the wickets tally with figures of 4/22 and top scoring with a rapid 33 off 22 balls, including three sixes in a single over, though ultimately in a losing cause. Remarkably, she scored her 120 runs from 5 outings at a stunning strike rate of 162.16.
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