ICC Women’s Player of the Month: December Nominees

The ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for December 2024 features three exceptional players: India’s Smriti Mandhana, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, and South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba. Each nominee delivered remarkable performances in international cricket, showcasing their talent across formats.

Smriti Mandhana’s Stellar December

Smriti Mandhana, India’s star batter, dazzled during December. Her performances shone despite initial struggles in the ODI series against Australia.

• Outstanding Century Against Australia
  In the final ODI, Mandhana scored a brilliant 105 runs from 109 balls, anchoring India’s innings with her aggressive batting. This century helped India finish the series on a high note.
• Consistent Form Against the West Indies
  Mandhana maintained her form in the home series, scoring two consecutive fifties in ODIs. She also led India to a 2-1 victory in T20Is, smashing three half-centuries in as many matches.
• Impressive Stats
  Mandhana accumulated 270 runs in six ODIs with an average of 45.00 and a strike rate of 91.52. In T20Is, she scored 193 runs in three matches, averaging 64.33 with an explosive strike rate of 159.50.

Key Takeaways:

• Mandhana’s performances showcased her ability to anchor innings and accelerate when needed.
• Her T20I strike rate was among the best in December.

Annabel Sutherland’s All-Round Brilliance

Australian all-rounder Annabel Sutherland excelled with both bat and ball in December, helping her team remain unbeaten in ODIs.

• Centuries That Stood Out
  Sutherland scored two centuries, including 110 against India in Perth and an unbeaten 105 against New Zealand in Wellington. Her performances were critical in setting up big wins for Australia.
• Match-Winning Bowling Performances
  With the ball, she took nine wickets, including 4/39 in a decisive ODI against India. Her consistent contributions earned her the Player of the Series award in both series against India and New Zealand.
• Key Statistics
  Sutherland scored 269 ODI runs at an average of 67.25 with a strike rate of 113.98. She also took nine wickets with an economy rate of 3.85 and an average of 16.22.

Key Takeaways:

• Sutherland’s all-round performance solidified her position as a key player for Australia.
• Her ability to shine in high-pressure situations stood out.

Nonkululeko Mlaba Makes History

South African bowler Nonkululeko Mlaba etched her name in history with record-breaking performances in December.

• Ten-Wicket Haul in Test Cricket
  Mlaba became the first South African woman to take a ten-wicket haul in a Test match. Despite South Africa losing to England, her effort (10 wickets at an average of 15.70) was a standout.
• ODI Contributions
  Mlaba also featured in the three-match ODI series against England, picking up two wickets and scoring 20 runs.
• Notable Achievements
  In Tests, Mlaba took 10 wickets with an economy rate of 2.85. Her ODI performances included an economy rate of 6.06.

Key Takeaways:

• Mlaba’s Test heroics highlighted her potential as a game-changer.
• She became a symbol of South Africa’s growing strength in women’s cricket.

December 2024: A Month of Records and Milestones

The nominees for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month in December delivered performances that will be remembered for years. While Smriti Mandhana impressed with her consistency, Annabel Sutherland showcased her all-round abilities, and Nonkululeko Mlaba made history with her bowling brilliance.

Player Performance Table

Who Will Win the December 2024 Award?

The choice between Mandhana, Sutherland, and Mlaba is challenging. Each player delivered exceptional performances in their respective areas. The winner will be decided based on public votes and expert opinions.