Australia’s rising star Annabel Sutherland has been crowned the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for December 2024, surpassing strong contenders Smriti Mandhana (India) and Nonkululeko Mlaba (South Africa). This recognition marks a breakthrough moment for the 23-year-old all-rounder, who delivered match-winning performances with both bat and ball throughout the month.
Annabel Sutherland’s Stellar Form in December 2024
Sutherland showcased her potential with consistent and impactful performances during December, cementing her status as a key player for Australia. Her remarkable stats underline her dominance:
- Runs Scored: 269 runs in five innings
- Batting Average: 67.25
- Strike Rate: 113.98
- Wickets Taken: 9 at an average of 16.22
All-Round Brilliance
Sutherland’s achievements with the bat were headlined by two consecutive centuries:
- 110 off 95 balls against India in the 3rd ODI at W.A.C.A., Perth. This was her second ODI century and earned her Player of the Match honors.
- 105 off 81 balls* against New Zealand in the 1st ODI at Basin Reserve, Wellington. With this knock, she became the first woman in ODI history to score successive centuries while batting at number five or lower.
She concluded the India series as the joint second-highest run-scorer with 122 runs in three innings (average: 40.66) and was named Player of the Series. Against New Zealand, she topped the run charts with 147 runs in two innings, earning Player of the Match honors in both games and another Player of the Series award.
ICC Player of the Month Nominations for December 2024 are here 👀
🇮🇳 Smriti Mandhana
🇿🇦 Nonkululeko Mlaba
🇦🇺 Annabel SutherlandWho has your vote? 🤔#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/5T7qE7USX4
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 7, 2025
Sutherland’s bowling performances complemented her batting exploits:
- Total Wickets: 9 in five innings
- Best Figures: 4/39 in the 2nd ODI against India at Allan Border Field, Brisbane.
- Economy Rate: 3.85
She was instrumental in Australia’s ODI series victory over India, claiming six wickets in three games, including a decisive four-wicket haul. While she went wicketless in the 2nd ODI against New Zealand, she maintained tight control with an economy rate of 3.50. She bounced back with figures of 3/39 in the series-deciding 3rd ODI, further solidifying her all-round credentials.
𝐀 𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚𝐛𝐞𝐥 𝐒𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝! 🌟
She outshines the tough competition to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for December 2024! 🏏#CricketTwitter @annabelsuth3 pic.twitter.com/2oKXbC6dMU
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 14, 2025
Sutherland’s all-round contributions were critical to Australia’s success in both the India and New Zealand series. Her performances not only earned her two consecutive Player of the Series awards but also showcased her as a genuine game-changer in women’s cricket.
The ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for December 2024 is the second such honor for Sutherland, following her earlier win in February 2024. This accolade highlights her rise as one of the most promising all-rounders in international cricket.
Annabel Sutherland’s exceptional performances in December 2024 underline her growing stature in the women’s game. Her ability to deliver consistently with both bat and ball has made her an invaluable asset for the Australian team, and her achievements are a testament to her talent and hard work.
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