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January 3, 2024
In a showcase of exceptional talent, three outstanding all-rounders and the top-ranked women’s T20I bowler have been nominated for the prestigious ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023 Award. These remarkable athletes have displayed unparalleled skills, consistency, and dedication throughout the year, earning their well-deserved place among the nominees. As the cricketing world awaits the winner’s announcement, the nominations testify to the remarkable growth and development of women’s cricket on the global stage.
470 runs and 8 wickets in 16 matches
The seasoned Sri Lankan cricketer kicked off the year with a stellar performance in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Cape Town, earning the Player of the Match title. Her remarkable 68 runs off 50 balls propelled Sri Lanka to a nail-biting three-run victory against South Africa, setting the stage for an extraordinary year for both the team and the Player.
Athapaththu continued to shine throughout the year, accumulating an impressive 470 runs at an exceptional strike rate of 130.91. With 15 sixes, she reached a personal milestone in Women’s T20Is.
In the latter half of the year, Athapaththu’s prowess was on full display as she unleashed a series of unforgettable performances. Her unbeaten 80 runs in 47 balls during the Colombo match against New Zealand proved instrumental in securing Sri Lanka’s victory in the three-match series. The Sri Lankan team chased down 141 runs without losing a single wicket, owing much to Athapaththu’s relentless assault on the White Ferns’ bowling attack. Later, she played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s historic series triumph over England on their home turf, further cementing her status as a force to be reckoned with in women’s cricket.
Athapaththu delivered her most outstanding performance in the series decider against England in Derby, where she played a pivotal role in creating history for Sri Lanka. Displaying exceptional all-around skills, Athapaththu’s leadership was instrumental in securing the victory.
Her bowling prowess was on full display as she claimed 3/21, including the crucial wicket of the dangerous Amy Jones, effectively restricting England to a manageable 116 runs. In the run-chase, Athapaththu’s fierce determination was evident from the onset, as she unleashed a spectacular 28-ball 44, setting the tone for Sri Lanka’s successful chase. Her aggressive intent was unmistakable when she dispatched Kate Cross for a six in the early stages of the innings.
Notably, Athapaththu’s consistent brilliance was also a deciding factor in Sri Lanka’s maiden T20I victory over England during the second game of the series. Her match-winning half-century and impressive bowling figures 1/11 in three overs showcased her exceptional talents and unwavering commitment to securing Sri Lanka’s historic triumph.
23 wickets in 11 matches at 10.60
The world’s top-ranked women’s T20I bowler capped off an extraordinary year with a stellar performance at the Women’s T20 World Cup, taking an impressive 11 wickets – more than any other player in the tournament. Her exceptional showing propelled her past the 800-point threshold in the MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I Bowling rankings, making her the second bowler in history to achieve this feat.
Throughout England’s T20 World Cup campaign, Ecclestone consistently shone as a critical player, delivering a standout performance in the semi-final against South Africa. Despite her remarkable figures of 3/22, England ultimately fell short of victory, though Ecclestone’s contribution was nothing short of brilliant.
Throughout the year, Ecclestone delivered remarkable consistency and skill, securing an outstanding 23 wickets in just 11 matches. Her exceptional average of 10.60 and an economy rate of 5.65 not only highlights her ability to take crucial wickets but also underscores her capacity to maintain pressure on the opposing team’s batters. As the year ends, Ecclestone remains firmly entrenched as the No.1 ranked Women’s T20I bowler, with an outstanding 777 rating points. Following a triumphant return to the side after undergoing surgery for a dislocated right shoulder, Ecclestone finished the year on a high note, ending the T20I series against India as the joint-highest wicket-taker.
Ecclestone’s standout performances in the Women’s T20 World Cup were marked by three impressive three-wicket hauls. Still, her most memorable display in the format came during her return after surgery against India at the iconic Wankhede Stadium.
In a match-defining spell of 3/15, Ecclestone dismantled India’s batting order by dismissing key players Harmanpreet Kaur, Shafali Verma, and Kanika Ahuja. Her tactical prowess was on full display as she expertly varied her pace and trajectory, bamboozling the Indian batters on a pitch known for its tendency to speed up in the second half of the innings.
Ecclestone maintained her exceptional form throughout the remainder of the T20I series against India, picking up 2/13 and 2/43 in the subsequent matches. Her consistent contributions played a pivotal role in England’s series victory, as they emerged triumphant with a 2-1 series win.
700 runs and 19 wickets in 14 matches
Demonstrating exceptional prowess and talent, the No. 1 ranked MRF Tyres ICC Women’s T20I all-rounder showcased outstanding performances in a bilateral T20I series against Australia during the second half of the year. Her outstanding displays were characterized by scores of 99*, 132, and 79, establishing Matthews as a formidable force against the Australian side.
Though remarkable, Matthews’ incredible unbeaten 99 in the series opener was eclipsed by her sensational 132 in a seemingly impossible run-chase of 213 in Sydney. The record-breaking performance set a new world record for the highest successful run-chase in women’s T20Is.
Matthews etched her name in history with the highest individual score in a women’s T20I run-chase. Her staggering aggregate of 310 runs throughout the series is the highest tally ever achieved by a player in a women’s T20I bilateral series.
In addition to her exploits in the Australia series, Matthews also shone in the T20 World Cup, amassing 130 runs, claiming four wickets, and snatching four catches. Matthews amassed an astounding 700 runs in 2023 – the highest annual run tally by any player in Women’s T20Is. Her bowling prowess was equally impressive, as she claimed 19 wickets at an average of 16.21 over the year.
Although Matthews delivered an outstanding all-round performance against Ireland, claiming four wickets and contributing a swift 34-ball 48, her astonishing 132 against Australia captured the cricketing world’s attention. Following an impressive bowling spell of 3/36, which helped restrict Australia to a formidable total of 212, the West Indies faced a seemingly impossible challenge in their run chase.
Matthews wasted no time asserting her dominance, racing to 29 runs off just 16 balls during the Powerplay. However, it was her explosive second-half performance that left spectators in awe. A relentless onslaught of two fours and a six in the 17th over propelled Matthews to her century in a mere 53 balls.
The tension mounted as Matthews demonstrated unwavering determination in the penultimate over, mercilessly dispatching Jess Jonassen for four consecutive boundaries. This extraordinary display of power-hitting reduced the target to a tantalizing eight runs off the final over. Despite Matthews’ dismissal in that over, her blistering 132 off 64 balls – adorned with 20 fours and five sixes – had set the stage for one of the most unforgettable triumphs in women’s T20I history. A remarkable 110 of her 132 runs were scored in boundaries, underscoring the sheer dominance of her match-winning innings.
319 runs and 6 wickets wickets in 14 matches
Ellyse Perry’s T20 World Cup performance was somewhat uncharacteristic of her impressive track record. She managed only 60 runs across four innings with the bat and secured three wickets in six matches. However, she redeemed herself towards the end of the year, accumulating scores of 51*, 34, 70, and 40 in bilateral encounters against England and the West Indies.
A notable facet of Perry’s year was her sustained aggressive approach to batting. Throughout the series, she amassed a staggering 319 runs across 10 innings, achieving an exceptional average of 45.57. Her performance was further elevated by maintaining an impressive strike rate of 151.18, allowing her to surpass her personal best and make a remarkable impact on the game. She showcased a newfound versatility in her T20 game. Perry’s 11 sixes throughout the year exemplified her expanded range and adaptability on the field.
Despite her batting prowess taking center stage in a year where her bowling duties were relatively limited, a defining moment emerged from her exceptional fielding skills in the T20 World Cup semi-final against India. With a nerve-wracking 18 runs required off just 9 balls, Perry produced spectacular athleticism, launching airborne to flick the ball back in play and saving two crucial runs. This remarkable fielding prowess punctuated an otherwise challenging yet ultimately rewarding year for the talented all-rounder.
Perry’s evolution into a formidable power-hitter was particularly evident during the Women’s Ashes in England, where her explosive performance in the second T20I at the Oval almost secured an improbable victory for Australia.
Faced with a daunting target of 187, Australia found themselves in dire straits at 125/6 when Perry single-handedly shifted the momentum. Despite a modest 21 runs off 15 balls at that juncture, she proceeded to amass an additional 30 runs in just 12 deliveries, nearly guiding Australia to an unlikely triumph. Although 20 runs were still required in the final over, Perry’s brilliant display culminated in two sixes, allowing her to reach a well-deserved half-century.
Although Australia ultimately fell short of victory, Perry’s tenacity and adaptability as a batter were fully displayed throughout this tense match. Her transformation and newfound prowess in this game format were undeniable, leaving a lasting impression on her teammates and spectators.
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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.
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