The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Saturday (January 25) announced the Women’s T20I Team of the Year for 2024. It features some standout players from all departments who shone brightly for their respective teams throughout the calendar year.
The team includes three players from India, two from South Africa and one each from New Zealand, England, West Indies, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Ireland.
Here is the list of players who have been named in the XI:
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): The South African captain had an outstanding year, showcasing remarkable consistency in the shortest format of the game. She played a total of 19 T20Is in 2024, scoring 673 runs at an average of 39.58 and a strike rate of 125.09 with one hundred and three half-centuries.
Smriti Mandhana (India): The Indian opener finished the year with 763 runs in 23 matches at an average of 42.38 and a strike rate of 126.53. She smashed eight fifties in 2024.
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka): The Sri Lankan skipper had a remarkable year, leading her team to a memorable Asia Cup victory in July. She scored 720 runs in 21 matches at an average of 40 and a strike rate of 126.76, including two tons and four half-centuries.
Hayley Matthews (West Indies): Hayley Matthews had another year of consistent performances, excelling in both the batting and bowling departments. The West Indies all-rounder amassed 538 runs in 16 matches at an average of 35.86 and a strike rate of 121.99 with five half-centuries. She also bagged 14 wickets, bringing herself on and consistently contributing with the ball.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (England): It was another prolific year for Nat Sciver-Brunt, raising the bat three times and going at a blistering rate. She returned with 423 runs in 16 matches at an average of 47 and a strike rate of 133.86 with three half-centuries.
Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): Player of the Tournament at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Amelia Kerr enjoyed a career-defining year, impressing with both bat and ball and proving herself as one of the most valuable players in the game.
Kerr claimed an impressive tally of 29 wickets from 18 matches at an average of 15.55. She also contributed 387 runs with the bat with the best score of 44 to her name.
Richa Ghosh (India): The Indian wicketkeeper-batter stands out for her ability to score runs in an extremely aggressive manner, consistently leading the charge with her attacking style of play. In 21 T20Is, she aggregated 365 runs at an average of 33.18 and a strike rate of 156.65 with two half-centuries last year.
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa): South Africa's consistent all-rounder enjoyed a remarkable 2024, with standout performances with both bat and ball to secure her place in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year. She scored 399 runs and claimed 11 wickets from 16 T20Is last year.
Orla Prendergast (Ireland): The promising Irish all-rounder impressed everyone with her eye-catching performances. She scored 544 runs at 36.26 and picked up 21 wickets at 12.90 from 18 T20Is last year.
Deepti Sharma (India): Deepti Sharma proved to be a consistent performer, with her reliable batting and outstanding bowling spells, playing a key role for India. Her tally of wickets includes 30 scalps at an average of 17.80 and an economy rate of 6.01 across T20I matches in 2024. She also scored 115 runs from 23 matches.
Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan): The left-arm orthodox bowler had a remarkable year, making a major impact by claiming 30 wickets in 19 matches at an average of 14.30, proving to be a key performer with the ball throughout the season.
ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year: Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Smriti Mandhana (India), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Nat Sciver-Brunt (England), Amelia Kerr (New Zealand), Richa Ghosh (India), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Deepti Sharma (India), Sadia Iqbal (Pakistan)