Amelia Kerr Makes History: Wins ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year Award
Global cricket star, Amelia Kerr, from New Zealand, got her name etched in history by becoming the first player from her country to bag the ‘Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy’ for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year. The 24-year-old had an exceptionally incredible year in 2024, leading the White Ferns to their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title and performing remarkably well across all formats.
From single-handedly winning a final World Cup game against South Africa to breaking all sorts of batting and bowling records, Kerr left an ample footprint in women’s cricket in 2024. Let’s take an in-depth look into her record history and how she managed the most prestigious award.
A Landmark Achievement for Amelia Kerr
Kerr’s ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year completes a major milestone in New Zealand’s cricket history, as this country claimed it in 2017 and was yet to have any winner for that matter.
While all-round skills sparkled bright for New Zealand in 2024, she came good with 387 runs in T20Is at an average of 24.00 and 29 wickets at an economy rate of 15.55. Equally dominant performances in both departments, bat, and ball made her a much-needed asset to New Zealand throughout the calendar year, including the T20 World Cup where she emerged top wicket-taker of the tournament with 15 scalps.
She was no less bright in the ODI format as well, amassing 264 runs at an average of 33.00 and picking up 14 scalps, which included two very important four-wicket hauls against India and Australia.
These numbers, apart from her leadership and match-winning abilities, catapulted her as the undeniable choice for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award.
T20 World Cup 2024: A Career-Defining Tournament
The defining moment of Kerr’s career came in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, wherein she played a key role in helping New Zealand lift their first-ever World Cup title.
Dominating Group Stage & Knockouts
Kerr was in form right from the start of the tournament, performing match-winning roles at times with the bat, and at times with the ball to keep New Zealand at the top right through the tournament.
Player of the Final & Tournament
And she did so once again in the final against South Africa: though up against a world-class bowling attack, she played an important knock of 43 runs off 38 balls to help New Zealand post a respectable total.
She was even more lethal in front of the wicket, as she picked 3 wickets for merely 24 runs, including those big wickets of Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch. Her heroics saw New Zealand win by 32 runs, sparking wild celebrations as they lifted their maiden T20 World Cup trophy.
She won the Player of the Match in the final and got herself the Player of the Tournament award with her stupendous performances.
Breaking Records & Setting New Milestones
The performances of Kerr in 2024 did not just help New Zealand win matches but also rewrote record books.
Highest Wicket-taker in a Single T20 World Cup: Kerr’s 15 scalps, also meant she created a new record for the most wickets taken by any cricketer in a single edition of the tournament.
- New Zealand’s Best T20I Bowler: Surpassed Leigh Kasperek’s record of 27 wickets in a calendar year by taking 29 wickets in 18 matches.
- Most Impactful All-Rounder of 2024: With 651 runs and 43 wickets across formats, Kerr was arguably the best all-rounder in the world last year.
Kerr’s 2024 Stats Across Formats:
| Format | Runs | Batting Average | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| T20Is | 387 | 24.00 | 29 |
| ODIs | 264 | 33.00 | 14 |
| Overall | 651 | - | 43 |
These numbers solidify her status as one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket today.
The First New Zealander to Win the Award
The ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award won by Kerr is a tremendously huge achievement, not just for her own self, but for New Zealand cricket in general.
She is the first Kiwi player, male or female, to win this award, underlining her importance to New Zealand’s rise in women’s cricket.
Reacting to the award, Kerr said:
“It’s a huge honor to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year. Individual awards aren’t something you think about much, but this is an extremely special one. I’m thankful to my teammates, coaches, and support system for making this possible.”
This will no doubt inspire all young cricketers in New Zealand to dream big and work hard in the hope of being able to follow in her footsteps.
Retained by Mumbai Indians in WPL 2025
The great year for Kerr wasn’t just limited to her performance in international cricket, her accomplishments led to her retention by Mumbai Indians in the upcoming WPL 2025.
She has made her place as one of the mainstays of Mumbai Indians in the WPL and will once again prove to be a vital resource when the action begins on February 14.
Her uncanny ability to perform under the pressure of T20 makes her one of the most prized players in franchise cricket today.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Amelia Kerr?
Having had a historic year, Kerr now gears up for 2025, when the onus would be on her to lead New Zealand in big-ticket tournaments, which include the Women’s ODI World Cup qualifiers and the WPL.
All-round ability, coupled with a degree of consistency for the White Ferns, suggests that she remains a vital part of their line-up; more awards of this nature are likely should this form be maintained.
At just 24, Kerr is already a New Zealand cricketing legend, and her journey is well and truly underway.
Final Thoughts
The year 2024, for Amelie Ker,r was worth remembering and a very special one, especially because she witnessed this moment of appreciation and took home the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award for guiding New Zealand to a historic first T20 World Cup victory, setting new benchmarks and records across formats.
She has been established as one of the most dominating all-rounders in world cricket and contributed to raising the bar for women’s cricket globally.
While Kerr’s cricketing career is far away from over with many more victorious years ahead, her every step into cricket history will be followed by enthusiasts globally.
Congratulations to Amelia Kerr for winning the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year Award 2024!
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