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The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its list of nominees for the 2024 Women Cricketer of the Year Awards, shining a spotlight on players who have left an indelible mark on the cricketing world with their remarkable skills and match-winning performances across formats. The list celebrates those who have consistently excelled on the global stage, contributing significantly to their teams’ successes throughout the year.
However, a surprising omission has caught the attention of fans and experts alike—Indian cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, widely regarded as one of the finest batters in the game, did not make the cut. This unexpected exclusion has sparked widespread debates and discussions, with many questioning the criteria and fairness of the selection process.
Nominees and their stellar performances
Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka has earned a nomination through her leadership and all-round contributions. She scored over 720 runs in T20Is with an average of 41.27 and took 21 wickets, playing a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s maiden Asia Cup triumph. She also amassed 458 runs in 9 ODIs with unbeaten 195 being her best.
Similarly, Amelia Kerr from New Zealand has been nominated for her exceptional year, particularly highlighted by her performance in the T20 World Cup where she was the leading wicket-taker with 29 wickets and scored 387 runs. Her all-round abilities have been vital for New Zealand. She also scored 264 runs in 9 ODIs with one fifty.
Australia’s Annabel Sutherland has also secured a spot on the list, having scored 651 runs and taken 43 wickets across all formats. Her performances in the T20 World Cup and her consistent show in ODIs have been key for Australia.
South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt also makes the cut, leading with the bat in the T20 World Cup and scoring over 1,500 runs in all formats. Her leadership in guiding South Africa to their second consecutive T20 World Cup final has been commendable.
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The Smriti Mandhana omission
Despite leading the run-scoring charts in both ODIs and T20Is, Mandhana did not secure a nomination for the award. She scored 747 runs in ODIs at an average of 57.46, including four centuries, and 763 runs in T20Is with an average of 42.38. She even played a single Test and scored 149 runs. Her absence from the list has sparked significant discussion, with many fans and pundits questioning the selection criteria.
Mandhana’s performances throughout the year were exceptional, yet she was overlooked for the nomination, leading to debates on social media platforms where cricket enthusiasts expressed their surprise and disappointment. Some argued that her consistent scoring and the impact she had on matches should have made her a shoo-in for the award.
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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
