ICC announces nominees for Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year

The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday, December 29 revealed the nominees for the Women’s ODI cricketer of the year. The World Cup-winning opener for Australia, Alyssa Healy is among the four candidates after a breathtaking season in international cricket. The 32-year-old played 12 ODIs this year and scored 600 runs at a strike rate of 95.38. In the absence of Meg Lanning, the Queensland-born cricketer also led Australia in multiple bilateral series’.

Other than Healy, New Zealand International Amelia Kerr too found a place on the list. The 22-year-old played 18 ODI matches this year and scored 676 runs at a strike rate of 84.50. The all-rounder also picked up 17 wickets in the calendar year. 

The cricketer played multiple scintillating knocks but her match-winning century against India in Queenstown in February will definitely feature in her highlight of the year. Overall, she remains to be a strong candidate to win the title of Women’s ODI cricketer of the year.

Nat Sciver is also nominated for her excellent all-round show

England international Nat Sciver comes third on the list. The 30-year-old smashed five half-centuries and two centuries, scoring 833 runs from 17 ODIs this year. Most of her impactful knocks came during the Women’s World Cup, where she scored 436 runs - the highest by any English cricketer in the tournament. The middle-order batter recently wreaked havoc against West Indies as well. Courtesy of her sheer brilliance, England won the series by 3-0.

Last but not least, Shabnim Ismail is also a part of the nominee list. The Proteas pacer is arguably the fastest bowler in women’s cricket at the moment and her pace has already paid dividends. In 17 ODI matches she played this year, Ismail picked up 37 wickets at an outstanding economy of 4.02. The pacer also averages only 14.89 in the 50-over format.

The 34-year-old also picked up consecutive four-wicket hauls during South Africa's home series against the West Indies earlier in the year. She also notched up 14 wickets in the Women’s World Cup.