New Zealand’s star all-rounder Melie Kerr has edged past the likes of Deandra Dottin from the West Indies and the South African skipper Laura Wolvaardt to claim her 2nd Player of the Month award, having previously won the honor in February 2022. Tammy Beaumont from England was named the Player of the Month for September 2024.
“It’s an honour to receive this award as there are so many world-class cricketers around the world who are also deserving of this. For me, it’s a special month with the World Cup win and something that means so much to myself, the team, coaches along the way, NZ, and my family. Without these people, I wouldn’t be able to do what I am doing,” shared Melie Kerr emphasizing why receiving the prestigious award for October, made it more special.
Melie Kerr had an impressive time at the international level, playing an instrumental role in helping her side clinch their maiden ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in the United Arab Emirates in October 2024. She was the 3rd highest run-scorer for New Zealand in the tournament with 135 runs at a decent average of 27.00 in six innings for her side.
Apart from her contributions with the bat, she was also the leading wicket-taker for her side, and she also topped the wicket-taking charts in the tournament with 15 wickets at a strike rate of 9.06 and an average of 7.33, with an impressive economy of 4.85 in six innings with the ball for her side.
Melie’s best performance with the ball came on 8th October 2024 at the Sharjah Cricket Ground, against Australia when she returned with brilliant match figures (4-0-26-4) in her spell. She also broke the record, previously held by Anya Shrubsole (England [13 wickets], in the 4th edition of the tournament in 2014, hosted by Bangladesh) for the most wickets (New Zealand [15 wickets]) in the history of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Melie was also named the Player of the Match in the final against South Africa, for her vital all-round contributions. She scored 43 (38 balls) with the bat and returned with impressive match figures (4-0-24-3) with the ball in her spell. She was also named the Player of the Tournament for her all-round show throughout the course of the tournament (135 runs with the bat and 15 wickets with the ball).
After the conclusion of the Women’s T20 World Cup, India led by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hosted New Zealand for a three-match ODI series. Melie continued from where she left off in the Women’s T20 World Cup, as she chipped in with a brilliant spell (9-1-42-4) with the ball for her side. Apart from her contributions, she also battled her injury to come out at number 9 and scored an unbeaten (25* off 23 balls) with the bat, which unfortunately wasn’t enough for her side to get over the line in the 1st ODI at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. She was ruled out of the rest of the series courtesy of her quadriceps injury.
(Quote sourced from ICC Press Release)
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