Smriti Mandhana has been nominated for the ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year award for 2024, marking a significant achievement in her illustrious career. Alongside Mandhana, the nominees include South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu, and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland. Each nominee has had a stellar year, and Mandhana’s exceptional performances in 2024 make her a standout contender.
Mandhana accumulated an impressive 747 runs from 12 ODI innings this year, scoring at an average of 61.91 with a strike rate of 95.15. Her tally included four centuries and three fifties, with her highest score of 136 runs. A pivotal moment in her year came in June, when she scored two centuries against South Africa in Bengaluru, setting the tone for a successful 2024 campaign. She continued her fine form throughout the year, scoring additional hundreds, including a century in India’s home series against New Zealand after the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and another in December against Australia, although India lost the series 3-0.
Mandhana’s best all-round performance came in the second ODI of India’s home series against South Africa in June. In that match, she scored a brilliant century and also picked up a crucial wicket to help India secure a narrow four-wicket victory. Her knock of 136 runs from 120 balls, which included 18 fours and two sixes, guided India to a total of 325/3 after they were asked to bat first. Later, Mandhana’s key wicket of Sune Luus during South Africa’s chase helped India close out the win.
In comparison, Laura Wolvaardt had a slow start to the year, scoring just seven runs in three innings against Australia. However, the South African captain quickly found her rhythm and went on to score 697 runs in 12 innings, averaging an impressive 87.12. She scored three centuries, with a remarkable unbeaten 184* against Sri Lanka, and also recorded a fifty in the same series, further showcasing her consistency and dominance.
Chamari Athapaththu, who was already shortlisted for the Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, delivered standout performances in 2024 across both formats. In nine ODI innings, she scored 458 runs at an average of 65.42, with a strike rate of 101.10 and a best score of 195*. In addition, Athapaththu also contributed with the ball, taking nine wickets at an average of 32.22, proving her all-round capabilities.
Australia’s Annabel Sutherland made significant contributions with both bat and ball in 2024. She scored 369 runs in nine ODI innings at an average of 52.71, including two centuries and one fifty. Sutherland also made a considerable impact with the ball, taking 13 wickets at an average of 17.69, solidifying her position as one of Australia’s key all-rounders.
The ICC Women's ODI Cricketer of the Year award will be decided based on votes, and the winner will be announced next month. The performances of Mandhana, Wolvaardt, Athapaththu, and Sutherland have undoubtedly made this year’s nominations highly competitive, and each nominee has demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency throughout the year.
