ICC Women’s Player of the Month nominees for February 2024 revealed

Vote for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month – February 2024

Annabel Sutherland (Australia)

229 runs and seven wickets in four matches

Annabel Sutherland rewrote history books with her marathon double century in the one-off Test against South Africa.

Before the Test series, Sutherland contributed to Australia's triumph in the ODI series, clinched 2-1 by the hosts. The versatile all-rounder not only secured two wickets but also made valuable runs.

The shift to Test format proved fortuitous for Sutherland. Opting to bowl first, Australia swiftly dismissed South Africa for a mere 76, with Sutherland's medium-fast pace dismantling the Proteas' middle order by claiming the wickets of Sune Luus, Tazmin Brits, and Delmi Tucker.

ALSO READ: Dominant Australia shatter records in historic Perth Test

This bowling success seamlessly transitioned into an extraordinary batting performance, where Sutherland dominated the game with a rapid double century. Achieving this milestone in just 248 balls, she set a new record for the fastest double century in Women's cricket, surpassing fellow Australian Karen Rolton (306 balls).

Sutherland joined an elite group as the ninth woman to score a double hundred in a Test and the fifth Australian overall. At the age of 22, she became the second youngest double centurion in Test cricket, trailing only Mithali Raj, who achieved the feat at 19 years old.

Sutherland was eventually dismissed for 210, just three runs short of Ellyse Perry’s 213*, the highest score in Women’s Test cricket by an Australian.

Esha Oza (UAE)

249 runs and two wickets in six matches

ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Year 2022 Esha Oza led by example, finishing as the highest run-getter in UAE’s victorious campaign in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Women's Premier Cup.

The UAE skipper began the T20I tournament with a quickfire 32-ball 36 against China and followed it up with a spectacular innings of 114* off 69 balls – her third century in the shortest format – in the second game against Oman.

In the following match, Oza contributed a composed unbeaten 24* during UAE’s successful chase against Japan but faced setbacks in the subsequent two games.

However, the 26-year-old rose to the occasion in the tournament final against Malaysia. With a 51-ball 53, laced with three fours and sixes each, Oza played a pivotal role in guiding UAE to a formidable total of 105. Additionally, she made a valuable contribution with the ball, taking a wicket as Malaysia stumbled to 68/9 as UAE secured a 37-run victory in the final.

Oza's remarkable display in the crucial final earned her the Player of the Match and was also awarded the Player of the Tournament.

Kavisha Egodage (UAE)

218 runs and eight wickets in six matches

Following closely behind Esha Oza in the run-scorers chart of the ACC Women's Premier Cup was her teammate and opening partner, Kavisha Egodage, who not only secured the second-highest run tally but was also joint-fourth-highest wicket-taker.

Egodage commenced the tournament with a stunning all-round performance against China, which fetched her the Player of the Match award. Her impressive 61-ball 69* first propelled UAE to a strong total of 155/1 before she picked up three middle-order wickets with her crafty right-arm off-spin.

Consistently contributing with the bat, Egodage recorded scores of 38, 34*, 26, and 21, complemented by four wickets throughout the tournament leading up to the final.

In the finale, Egodage played a pivotal role by scoring a crucial 30, forming an 84-run opening partnership with her skipper. The 26-year-old also added to her all-round prowess by picking up a wicket, culminating in a brilliant tournament performance that ultimately saw UAE clinching the coveted trophy.