The Indian batter holds a record no one has surpassed in women’s ODIs—most centuries in a calendar year.
Smriti Mandhana, who scored just 29 runs in her first ODI of the year, quickly turned her form around. Four months later, she smashed two consecutive centuries. Over the course of the year, she added two more centuries, setting the record for the most centuries in a single calendar year. The Indian opener has now been named in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year.
The ICC announced the Women’s ODI Team of the Year for 2024 on Friday. Apart from Mandhana, Deepti Sharma is the only other Indian player in the team.
England leads the team selection with three players. Alongside India, Australia and South Africa each have two representatives. Sri Lanka and West Indies each have one player.
Mandhana played 13 ODIs last year, scoring 747 runs at an average of 57.46. Her tally includes four centuries and three fifties. No player has hit more centuries in a year than Mandhana in women’s ODIs. Eight others share the previous record of three centuries in a year.
South African batter Laura Wolvaardt joins Mandhana as the other opener in the team and serves as its captain. Wolvaardt, with three centuries and as many fifties, scored the second-highest 697 runs in 12 ODIs, averaging an incredible 87.12.
Chamari Athapaththu from Sri Lanka scored 458 runs in nine ODIs at an average of 65.42 and a strike rate of 101.10. She hit one century and two fifties. Additionally, her off-spin bowling earned her nine wickets at an economy rate of 4.61.
These three players are also shortlisted for the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award.
West Indies’ Hayley Matthews amassed 469 runs in seven ODIs at an average of 78.16, including three centuries. She also claimed nine wickets with her off-spin. South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp contributed 114 runs in 12 ODIs and picked up 11 wickets.
Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner scored 269 runs at an average of 29.88 with two fifties and took 20 wickets at an economy of 4.07. Her compatriot Annabel Sutherland scored 369 runs in nine ODIs at an average of 52.71 and a strike rate of 100.27. She also bagged 13 wickets at an economy of 4.19.
England’s Amy Jones, the team’s wicketkeeper, scored 382 runs in 12 ODIs at an average of 63.66 with three fifties and made 15 dismissals. Deepti Sharma of India claimed the most wickets (24) in 13 ODIs last year with her off-spin, while England’s Sophie Ecclestone finished second with 21 wickets in 11 matches. England pacer Kate Cross also made the team with 19 wickets in 13 ODIs.
ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2024:
Smriti Mandhana (India), Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) (Captain), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), Annabel Sutherland (Australia), Amy Jones (Wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma (India), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Kate Cross (England).
