Smriti Mandhana, the star batter from India, has been nominated for the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award, following a remarkable year of batting performance. She is contending for the prestigious award alongside Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Annabel Sutherland (Australia), and Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka).
Mandhana started 2024 strongly with two centuries against South Africa in Bengaluru in June. She maintained her excellent form throughout the year, adding two more centuries to her tally.
In the series against South Africa, Mandhana amassed 343 runs in just three innings, earning her the Player of the Series award. She then scored another century against New Zealand in the final match of their home series, following the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Her fourth century of the year came against Australia in December, although it wasn’t enough to prevent a 3-0 series whitewash by the Aussies.
Laura Wolvaardt’s year began with a lean patch, scoring a mere seven runs in three innings against Australia. However, the South African captain quickly rediscovered her form and embarked on a scoring spree in subsequent ODI matches.
Wolvaardt smashed two unbeaten centuries against Sri Lanka, one of which was a career-best 184 not out in Potchefstroom. She quickly followed this up with another century against India in Bengaluru, making it three centuries in four matches.
Another half-century against India solidified her position as a dominant force in ODI cricket. Wolvaardt concluded her 2024 campaign with a series of strong scores against England on home soil in December.
Annabel Sutherland began the year by taking two wickets in Australia’s victory over India in Mumbai. Her contributions were relatively limited during the 2-1 series win against South Africa at home.
Sutherland’s opportunities were restricted during Australia’s tour of Bangladesh in March. However, she did manage an unbeaten 58 in the opening match victory in Mirpur.
Sutherland’s true brilliance shone towards the end of the year in series against India and New Zealand. She scored consecutive centuries against these opponents and claimed the Player of the Series award for her performance against India.
Chamari Athapaththu’s first ODI appearance of 2024 was in April. She immediately made an impact, scoring 51 and an impressive 195 not out against South Africa, resulting in a drawn series.
Athapaththu carried her exceptional form into the series against the West Indies, amassing 130 runs and taking four wickets as Sri Lanka swept the series 3-0.
In Sri Lanka’s final ODI of the year, Athapaththu concluded 2024 on a high note with a score of 48 and a three-wicket haul against Ireland in Belfast.
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