The Worldwide Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its listing of nominees for the 2024 Ladies Cricketer of the Yr Awards, shining a highlight on gamers who’ve left an indelible mark on the cricketing world with their outstanding expertise and match-winning performances throughout codecs. The listing celebrates those that have constantly excelled on the worldwide stage, contributing considerably to their groups’ successes all year long.
Nonetheless, a stunning omission has caught the eye of followers and specialists alike—Indian cricket group vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, broadly thought to be one of many best batters within the recreation, didn’t make the lower. This surprising exclusion has sparked widespread debates and discussions, with many questioning the standards and equity of the choice course of.
Nominees and their stellar performances
Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka has earned a nomination by means of her management and all-round contributions. She scored over 720 runs in T20Is with a median of 41.27 and took 21 wickets, enjoying a vital function in Sri Lanka’s maiden Asia Cup triumph. She additionally amassed 458 runs in 9 ODIs with unbeaten 195 being her finest.
Equally, Amelia Kerr from New Zealand has been nominated for her distinctive 12 months, significantly highlighted by her efficiency within the T20 World Cup the place she was the main wicket-taker with 29 wickets and scored 387 runs. Her all-round skills have been important for New Zealand. She additionally scored 264 runs in 9 ODIs with one fifty.
Australia’s Annabel Sutherland has additionally secured a spot on the listing, having scored 651 runs and brought 43 wickets throughout all codecs. Her performances within the T20 World Cup and her constant present in ODIs have been key for Australia.
South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt additionally makes the lower, main with the bat within the T20 World Cup and scoring over 1,500 runs in all codecs. Her management in guiding South Africa to their second consecutive T20 World Cup closing has been commendable.
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The Smriti Mandhana omission
Regardless of main the run-scoring charts in each ODIs and T20Is, Mandhana didn’t safe a nomination for the award. She scored 747 runs in ODIs at a median of 57.46, together with 4 centuries, and 763 runs in T20Is with a median of 42.38. She even performed a single Check and scored 149 runs. Her absence from the listing has sparked vital dialogue, with many followers and pundits questioning the choice standards.
Mandhana’s performances all year long had been distinctive, but she was missed for the nomination, resulting in debates on social media platforms the place cricket fanatics expressed their shock and disappointment. Some argued that her constant scoring and the affect she had on matches ought to have made her a shoo-in for the award.
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This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Instances firm.