Get Newsletter
Notification products, updates
×
×Notification products, updates
January 3, 2024
The ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award nominees include two outstanding fast bowlers from Bangladesh and England, a remarkably talented batter from Australia, and a versatile all-rounder from Scotland. These exceptional athletes represent the future of women’s cricket, showcasing immense promise and potential in their respective disciplines.
As rising stars in the international cricket scene, each nominee has exhibited a unique blend of skill, determination, and passion for the game. Their impressive performances throughout the year have earned them recognition on a global scale, solidifying their positions as emerging talents to watch in the coming seasons.
We will now examine the noteworthy performances of these talented nominees throughout the 2023 season:
87 Test runs at 21.75
344 ODI runs at 49.14
88 T20I runs at 88
Phoebe Litchfield kicked off the year with an exceptional display of form, hitting back-to-back unbeaten half-centuries in her first two ODI matches against Pakistan on home soil. Her consistent performances proved to be an asset for the Australian team. They demonstrated her immense potential as a rising star.
Although Litchfield narrowly missed a spot in Australia’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad, she triumphantly returned to European international cricket. She earned the Player of the Match title in a standout performance against Ireland in Dublin. She notched her maiden career century, scoring an unbeaten 106\*.
Litchfield continued to impress when she hit an explosive unbeaten 52\* off just 19 deliveries, including five massive sixes, in her first T20I match against the West Indies in early October. She followed this up with a valuable knock of 27 in the decisive third ODI against the West Indies in Melbourne, contributing to Australia’s victorious campaign. Litchfield’s performances throughout 2023 have solidified her position as an emerging talent to watch in women’s cricket.
Phoebe Litchfield’s most remarkable batting performance came during her maiden ODI century, where she scored an unbeaten 106* from 114 deliveries against Ireland in Dublin towards the end of July. This standout innings demonstrated her potential and solidified her position as a promising talent in women’s cricket.
Despite experiencing a few single-figure scores leading up to the match, Litchfield showed determination and resilience as she aimed to contribute significantly to her team. Alongside fellow youngster Annabel Sutherland (109), the duo displayed impressive skill and finesse, guiding Australia to a decisive series-clinching victory against Ireland.
Nine ODI wickets at 24.77
Ten T20I wickets at 23.30
Marufa Akter’s meteoric rise in international cricket began during the February ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Despite her limited experience, the young talent made a lasting impact in her first major ICC tournament, proving her potential as a force to be reckoned with.
In her third T20I match, the right-arm bowler wreaked havoc on Sri Lanka’s batting order, claiming two wickets in consecutive deliveries and finishing the game with an outstanding 3/23. Her prowess continued as she claimed the prized wicket of Beth Mooney in the following match against the formidable Australian team. By the end of the tournament, Marufa had collected four wickets with an economical bowling average of 6.31.
The 18-year-old further solidified her position as a valuable asset for Bangladesh during home white-ball matches against India in mid-2023. Her consistent performances and unwavering dedication to her craft ultimately established Marufa as a vital component of the Bangladeshi squad, securing her a place in the team for subsequent series against Pakistan and South Africa.
While Marufa Akter’s exceptional three-wicket performance against Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup was a testament to her abilities, she outdid herself during a pivotal ODI match against India in Mirpur in July. Faced with a challenging target of 153, Bangladesh’s fate rested on the performance of their bowlers, and Marufa rose to the occasion.
In a display of precision and tenacity, Marufa scalped four crucial wickets, dismantling India’s batting order and leading her team to a remarkable 40-run victory via the DLS method. Her bowling figures 4/29 that day stand as her personal best in international cricket thus far, serving as a testament to her growth and potential. With her upward trajectory showing no signs of slowing down, it’s safe to anticipate more impressive performances and record-breaking hauls from this talented seamer in the future.
Six Test wickets at 31.83
Seven ODI wickets at 27.71
Nine T20I wickets at 26
Lauren Bell, the towering pace bowler, made remarkable progress in 2023 as she stepped up to become England’s leading pacer following Katherine Sciver-Brunt’s retirement. Bell’s impressive journey began at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where she claimed three wickets across four matches, establishing herself as a key player in England’s bowling attack.
Her prowess only grew during the multi-format Ashes series against Australia in mid-2023, as she delivered consistent performances across all three formats. Bell’s ability to adapt and excel in diverse game situations solidified her position as England’s spearhead in the pace department.
Culminating the year with noteworthy performances on England’s tour of India, Lauren Bell has proven her potential as a future cricketing star. Her versatility and skill across formats position her for a long and successful career, contributing significantly to England’s success in the years to come.
Lauren Bell showcased her remarkable consistency throughout 2023, with one of her most notable performances coming during the first T20I match of England’s multi-format series against Australia in Birmingham. Despite England ultimately losing the game, Bell’s bowling prowess shone brightly, demonstrating her ability to make an impact even under pressure.
Defending a competitive total of 153/7, England required quick wickets to challenge Australia’s formidable batting lineup. Bell rose to the occasion, dismissing the dangerous Alyssa Healy for just five runs, providing her team an early advantage. In the crucial penultimate over, she returned to the attack. She struck gold by claiming the prized wicket of Ellyse Perry, revitalizing England’s hopes for a victory.
Though Australia eventually emerged victorious in a nail-biting final-over finish, Bell’s exceptional performance proved her significance as a critical player for England. Her ability to deliver under challenging circumstances highlights her immense potential. It is a testament to her bright future in international cricket.
224 T20I runs at 22.40
13 T20I wickets at 12.07
Scottish cricket prodigy Ailsa Carter had an impressive year as she transitioned seamlessly from the inaugural U19 Women’s T20 World Cup to the senior national squad. She participated in a T20I tri-series against Thailand and the Netherlands in Utrecht in July. She made valuable contributions with her off-spin bowling and consistent scoring.
Carter’s strong performances continued as she played a crucial role in Scotland’s successful progression to the T20 World Cup Qualifier in 2023 through the European regional final held in Almeria, Spain. She further showcased her skills by scoring a confident 45 against Full Member Ireland in a T20I series. She debuted her ODI against the same opponents. Throughout the year, Carter claimed three wickets across various series, establishing herself as a promising all-rounder in the Scottish women’s cricket team.
Undeterred by a challenging start to her T20I career, Ailsa Carter demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination as she bounced back from a debut duck against Thailand to score a brilliant half-century against the Netherlands in their tri-series encounter in Utrecht. Additionally, she showcased her bowling prowess by claiming impressive figures of 2/12 in Scotland’s triumphant performance.
Opening the batting after Scotland was put into bat, Carter witnessed the early dismissals of her partners, Ailsa Lister and Lorna Jack. However, she remained unfazed and forged a crucial partnership with Megan McColl to stabilize the innings. Despite the collapse at the other end, Carter stood and finished with an unbeaten 53 off 52 balls.
Faced with defending a modest total of 110, Scotland required a collective effort, and Carter rose again. Her crucial dismissals of Babette de Leede (10) and Robine Rijke (2) in a single overturned the tide in Scotland’s favor. The Netherlands ultimately fell short by six runs. Carter was deservedly named Player of the Match for her exceptional all-round performance.
Cheer on your favorite player! Visit our site to show them your support and make a difference.
Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
Stay Tuned With Updates
