The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced awards for both ma??le and?? female cricketers, acknowledging their outstanding performances across all formats in 2024.

ICC Women’s T20I cricketer of the year 2024

On Saturday, the ICC announced New Zealand’s star all-rounder, Amelia Kerr, as the recipient of the prestigious Women’s T20I cricketer of the Year 2024 award. This recognition highlights her remarkable contributions in the shortest format of the game, particularly during a stellar year that included leading New Zealand to their maiden ICC Women’s T20I World Cup triumph. Kerr, who played a pivotal role in New Zealand’s historic ICC Women’s T20I World Cup victory in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), was chosen over Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu, South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt, and Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast.

Bowling masterclass: Leading the world with the ball

Kerr’s bowling performances in 2024 were nothing short of exceptional. Across 18 matches, she scalped an incredible 29 wickets at an average of 15.55, consistently delivering in crucial moments. Her standout display came against Australia in Septembe?r 2024 at MacKay, where she dismantled the formidable Australian lineup with figures of 4/20.

Her dominance carried over into the T20 World Cup, where she became the tournament’s highest wicket-taker, claiming 15 wickets at an astonishing average of 7.33 and an economy rate of just 4.85. This included another four-wicket haul against Australia in the group stage and impactful spells in New Zealand’s victories over Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the West Indies in the semi-final. Kerr’s ability to break ?partnerships and apply pressure with her accurate bowling proved instrumental in New Zeala?nd’s World Cup success.

Also READ: ICC announces Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024; Smriti Mandhana and two other Indian?? players feature in the prestigious XI

All-round excellence: Contributions with the bat

Kerr’s contributions weren’t limited to her bowling. As a dependable all-rounder, she amassed 387 runs in T20Is during the year, averaging 24.18. Her perf?ormances with the bat were particularly crucial in high-stakes matches. In the World Cup final against South Africa, she anchored New Zealand’s innings with a composed 43 off 38 balls on a tricky pitch, helping her team set a competitive target of 158. During the tournament, she accumulate??d 135 runs in six matches at an average of 27, placing her among the top ten run-scorers. Her ability to rise to the occasion in pressure-filled situations underscored her immense value to the New Zealand side.

The historic T20 World Cup 2024 campaign

Kerr’s all-round brilliance was the cornerstone of New Zealand’s maiden ICC Women’s T20I? World Cup triumph. She was instrumental in their opening-round win over India, where her controlled bowling stifled the opposition. Despite a loss to Australia in the group stage, where she picked up four wickets, Kerr helped the team recover with impactful performances in subsequent matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.

In the semi-final against the West Indies, Kerr once again rose to the occasion, delivering with both bat and ball to propel her team to the final. Facing South Africa in Dubai, Kerr delivered a match-winning performance in the final. Apart from her vital knock with the bat, she claimed 3/24 with the ball, dismissing key batters like captain Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch. Her efforts secured a 32-run victory for New?? Zealand, igniting celebrations in Dubai.

Amelia Kerr’s contributions did not go unnoticed as she was named Player of the Match in the World Cup final and also received the prestigious Player of the Tournament award for her all-round heroics. With her performances, she also became the second New Zealand women’s cricketer to win the ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Year award, following Suzie Bates in 2016.

Also READ: Indian cricketer Minnu Mani faces a heartbreaking family tragedy; Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi ?offers condolences

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

Indian women’s cricketer Minnu Mani is grappling with a devastating personal loss as her aunt, Radha, was killed in a tragic tiger attack on January 24, 2025, in Wayanad, Kerala.

Minnu Mani endures heartbreaking family loss

According to the multiple media reports, Radha, the wife of a temporary watchman with the Kerala Forest Department, was picking coffee beans early in ??the morning at the Priyadarshini Estate wh??en the attack occurred. She was dragged away by the tiger, and her body was discovered hours later by the Kerala police’s Thunderbolt commando force. Minnu, deeply shaken by the incident, took to social media to share her grief.

In an emotional post on Facebook, she pleaded with the authorities to capture the man-eater tiger to ensure the safety of the local residents. The cricketer’s heartfelt appeal has amplified the growing concerns about human-wildlife conflict in the region, which continues to pose a s?erious threat ??to the community.

“This is extremely shocking news that I just came across. The person who lost their life in…in the tiger attack in Pancharakolly, Wayanad, is my uncle’s wife. I hope the authorities will……capture the aggressive tiger as soon as possible and ensure the safety of the lives and property of the people in the area. May her soul rest in peace,�Minu wrote.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi expresses heartfelt condolences 

Following the news of Radha’s tragic death, Wayanad Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi extended her deepest condolences to the bereaved family. The Congress leader highlighted the escalating dangers posed by wild animals in ??the region and stressed the urgent need for long-term, sustainable solutions to mitigate man-animal conflict.

In a post on X, Priyanka called for a comprehensive approach that balances wildlife conservation with the safety of local communities. Her empath??etic message underscored the gravity of the situation, echoing the concerns of locals who have been living in constant fear of?? such attacks.

“I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Smt. Radha, who was killed by a tiger while harvesting coffee in Pancharakolly, Mananthavady. My heartfelt condolences to her family. There is an immediate need for sustainable solutions to address this pressing issue,�Wayanad MP Priyanka wrote.

I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Smt. Radha, who was killed by a tiger while harvesting coffee in Pancharakolly, Mananthavady. My heartfelt condolences to her fa??mily.

There is an immediate need for sustainable solution??s to address this pressing issue.

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) January 24, 2025

Also READ: ICC announces Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024; Smriti Mandhana and two other India?n players feature in the prestigious XI

Government’s swift response: Compensation and plans to deal with the looming problem

In the wake of the tragic tiger attack, local protests erupted, demanding immediate action to prevent further human-wildlife conflicts. The protests intensified as Radha’s family and the community sought justice and assurances from the authorities. The reports further stated that Kerala’s Minister for the Welfare of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Backward Classes, OR Kelu, r??esponded to the growing unrest by visiting the site and announcing the government’s decision to capture or kill the tiger responsible for the attack.

A compensation package of INR 11 lakh was swiftly announced for Radha’s family, with INR 5 lakh to be paid immediately to support them in their time of grief. Despite this, the tragedy has highlighted the urgent need for more effective measures to address the dangers posed by tigers and other wildlife in hu??man-dominated areas. Authorities? are now under increasing pressure to find a permanent solution to this escalating issue.

Also Read: Women’s World Cup 2025: Six teams secure direct qualification, Banglade?sh misses out

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 highlighting? star players who exceeded expectations and delivered consecutive standout per??formances for their respective national side.

Laura Wolvaardt to lead the ICC Team of the Year 2024

The South African skipper was also named as the leader of ICC Women’s T20I team for her impeccable performance in the shortest format of the game. Laura Wolvaardt had a remarkable year in ??the T20I format with the bat scoring 673 runs in 19 matc?hes.

Her stunning 58-run knock off 53 balls in Canberra against Australia and a blistering century against Sri Lanka in Benoni were the highligh??ts amongst her many standout performances for the Proteas women. Besides that, she boasts a remarkable average of 39.58 and a strike close to 125 in the T20I format during the calendar year.

Also Read: Women’s World Cup 2025: Six teams secure direct qualification, Bangladesh misses ou?t

3 Indians feature in the Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024

Indian players had a dominant display in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024. India secured the maximum spots with three players featuring the squad. Opener Smriti Mandhana was given a place in the T20I side after her appearance in the ODI team of the year. The?? Indian opener had a stellar year with the bat in which she scored 763 runs in 23 matches with 8 half-centuries to her name.

The other major Indian appearance in the much coveted ICC team is star wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh. The right-handed batter is known for her aggressive style of play. The 21-year-old youngster has been given a place due to her emphatic strike-rate of 156.65 in T20I format and a remarkable 365 runs in the calendar year with two storming half-centuries against UAE and West Indies respectively.

Deepti Sharma is another Indian player who has earned a spot in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024 for her reliable all-round abilities. Sharma took 30 wickets for her national side and scored 115 runs which proved out to be handy for the team in adverse situations. The 27-year-old consistently took wickets in nearly every match, with notable performances like 3/13 from 4 overs against Nepal in Dambulla and 3/20 from 4 overs against Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup, cementing her place in the team.

ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year 2024

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) (c), Smriti Mandhana (India), Cha?mari Athapaththu(Sri Lanka), Hayley Matthews(West Indies), Nat-Sciver-Brunt (England), Melie Kerr (New Zealand), Richa Ghosh (India) (wk), Mariz??anne Kappe (South Africa), Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Deepti Sharma (India), Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan).

Also Read: ICC unveils Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2024 ft. Smriti Mandhana

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

For latest cricket news & updates, visit betvisa68.com.