ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024 Announced, Laura Wolvaardt to lead

Celebrating players who have delivered exceptional performances throughout the past year, the ICC, on Saturday, announced its Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024.

ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024 Announced, Laura Wolvaardt to lead
ICC T20I Team of the Year 2024 Announced, Laura Wolvaardt to lead

This line-up features some of the distinguished cricketers from various nations who have contributed immensely to the different facets of the game. With South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, at the helm, the team comprises Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma and Richa Ghosh from India, Chamari Athapaththu from Sri Lanka, Hayley Mathews from West Indies, Nat Sciver Brunt from England, Melie Kerr from New Zealand, Marizanne Kapp from South Africa, Orla Prendergast from Ireland, and lastly, Sadia Iqbal from Pakistan. Their heroics for their respective countries led to their introduction in the exclusive eleven.

ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024:

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa):

The South African skipper had a stellar year, amassing 673 runs in 19 matches at an average of 39.58 and a strike rate of 125.09. Three half centuries and one ton marked her year, displaying her consistency in the shortest format of the game. Scoring a remarkable 58* off 53 balls, she led her team to victory against Australia, starting off the year in style. She delivered a string of impressive performances, a stunning century against Sri Lanka being the best one. Currently, she stands as the number five ranked batter in the world in the ICC Women’s Rankings.

Smriti Mandhana (India):

2024 was truly a stunning year for India’s stunning left-handed opener Smriti as she scored a total of 763 runs, with a strike rate of 126.53 and an average of 42.38, spanning 23 matches. With eight half centuries, she had a record-breaking year. It began with a brilliant 54 against Australia. Her second half century came against South Africa in Chennai followed by two half centuries in the Women’s Asia Cup. To seal the year, she scored three centuries on the trot against the West Indies.

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka):

The Sri Lankan captain displayed her experience and brilliance throughout 2024, leading Sri Lanka to their maiden Asia Cup triumph. She scored a total of 720 runs in 21 matches at an average of 40, and strike rate of 126.76, with two centuries both of which came in the Women’s Asia Cup against Scotland and Malaysia respectively. A pivotal 61 against India in the finals was one of the three half-centuries that came for Chamari in the Asia Cup 2024. Not only this, but she also slayed with the ball, clinching 21 wickets at an average of 16.80 and economy rate of 6.36. Against West-Indies, in Hambantota, she gave her best bowling performance taking 4 wickets for 29 runs.

Also Read:  Match 17 – Fantasy XI Picks for England Women vs Scotland Women

Hayley Mathews (West Indies):

The West Indian all-rounder has been deservedly included in this list, following a stellar 2024 T20I campaign that saw her abilities in both batting and bowling departments. She played a total of 16 matches, scoring 538 runs at an average of 121.99, with five half centuries to her name. Her batting brilliance began with two consecutive half centuries against Pakistan in away series. She also picked up 14 wickets with her best bowling figures being 3/25 against Pakistan. She led her team to a commanding nine wicket victory against the hosts India as she scored an unbeaten 85. Her consistent all-round performances earned her the top spot in the ICC Women’s T20I all- rounder rankings and fourth spot in the batter rankings.

Nat-Sciver Brunt (England):

2024 proved to be an accomplishing year for the English all-rounder. With a blistering strike rate of 133.86, she accumulated 423 runs across 16 matches at an average of 47. This included three-half centuries, one against West Indies in the T20 World Cup and two against South Africa in England’s tour of South Africa. She contributed significantly with the bat picking up a total of 7 wickets.

Melie Kerr (India):

New Zealand’s rising star Melie Kerr dazzled in T20Is throughout 2024. At just 24, her spectacular performances led New Zealand to their maiden T20 World Cup title where she was named the Player of the Tournament for her record breaking 15 wickets, the most ever by a bowler in the tournament’s history. Melie had an impressive tally of 387 runs and 29 wickets in 18 matches and she sits in second position in the ICC Women’s T20I all-rounder rankings and the sixth spot in the bowling rankings. Her best bowling performance came against Australia at Sharjah where she picked up 4 wickets, giving 26 runs. She reached the pinnacle of her performance in the T20 World Cup Final where she top-scored with 43 runs and claimed 3/24 with the ball. She is also named as the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year.

Richa Ghosh (India):

The Indian wicket-keeper batsman had an aggressive year, bringing her attacking style of play to the spotlight. In 21 matches, she scored 365 runs with a fierce strike rate of 156.65 and two half centuries. She smashed a brilliant 64* in just 29 balls, against UAE in Dambulla. Her second half century came against West-Indies at the DY Patil Stadium when she scored a rapid 54 off just 21 balls.

Marizanne Kapp (South Africa):

South Africa’s dependable all-rounder, gave consistent performances throughout the year, earning her a place in this eleven. Her tally of 399 runs in 16 matches is a testament to her batting prowess, while her bowling abilities are reflected through her wicket count of 11. Two of her best batting displays included a 75 off 48 balls against Australia and a quickfire 57 off 33 balls against India in Chennai. 2/14 was Kapp’s best bowling figures which came against West-Indies in Dubai. She stands at the sixth position in the ICC Women’s All-Rounder Rankings.

Also Read:  Watch Video: Harmanpreet Kaur gets a rap song dedicated to her by teammates Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol

Orla Prendergast (Ireland):

This young Irish sensation had a standout 2024, as she impressed everyone scoring 544 runs in 18 matches and picking up 21 wickets. The year got off to a strong start with her knock of 67 runs off 48 balls against Zimbabwe in Harare. Her highest score of 80 came against England off 51 balls in September when she also made a significant contribution with the ball, having the figures of 2/31.

Deepti Sharma (India):

Deepti Sharma came across as a consistent force for India in 2024, delivering reliable batting and exceptional bowling spells to play an important role for her team. Her impressive T20I stats for the year included 30 wickets at an average of 17.80 and an economy rate of 6.01 alongside 115 runs, with notable performances such as 3/13 against Nepal and 3/20 against Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup, reflecting on her ability to claim wickets consistently and cementing her position in the Indian Squad.

Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan):

Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal, who occupies the second position in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings, delivered an exceptional 2024 campaign, claiming 30 wickets in 19 matches at an impressive average of 14.30. Her standout performances included a brilliant 3/18 against West Indies in Karachi, followed by her best T20I spell of 4/16 against Sri Lanka in Dambulla during the Women’s Asia Cup. Another praiseworthy performance came against South Africa in Multan, where she took 3/34, displaying her ability to secure crucial breakthroughs.

Loves all things female cricket

Liked the story? Leave a comment here