New Zealand’s Melie Kerr has been named the winner of the prestigious Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2024. In a year of standout performances, Kerr’s all-round excellence set her apart from other nominees, including Laura Wolvaardt, Chamari Athapaththu, and Annabel Sutherland.
Kerr’s brilliant skills in every aspect of the game have made her a force to be reckoned with. As a dynamic leg-spinner, she was New Zealand’s go-to bowler, delivering crucial breakthroughs. With the bat, Kerr played pivotal roles, stabilizing New Zealand’s innings or playing key knocks to build partnerships. Her fielding was also exceptional, making significant contributions in high-pressure situations.
The highlight of Kerr’s year was her exceptional performance at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where she was named Player of the Tournament. She topped the bowling charts with 15 wickets, a record for the Women’s T20 World Cup, and played a match-winning knock of 43 in the final, leading New Zealand to their first-ever ICC T20 World Cup victory. Kerr’s all-round brilliance in the final earned her the Player of the Match award.
In addition to her match-winning contributions at the World Cup, Kerr’s year was stellar across formats. She scored 264 runs and took 14 wickets in nine One-Day Internationals and recorded a national record of 29 wickets in 18 T20Is in 2024. Kerr’s incredible all-round performance cemented her place as one of the top cricketers of the year.
Kerr’s achievement is historic, making her the first New Zealander to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy and the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award. She joins an elite list of players who have claimed the trophy since its inception in 2017, which includes Ellyse Perry, Smriti Mandhana, and Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Kerr’s outstanding year and her role in New Zealand’s historic victory reflect her rise as one of the world’s best all-rounders and a deserving recipient of this year’s top honor.
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