Melie Kerr has become the first New Zealander to win the ICC's Heyhoe Flint Trophy for Women's cricketer of the year in 2024, it was announced today.
Acknowledging the outstanding cricketer across all formats of the game during the calendar year, Kerr wins the coveted trophy after a momentous 2024 in which she inspired the WHITE FERNS to their first ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
In T20 Internationals alone, Kerr amassed 387 runs and took 29 wickets at a 15.55 average, and during the World Cup campaign set a new record for the most wickets in a single edition (15) - culminating in an unforgettable individual display in the final to secure the silverware and the Player of the Tournament accolade.
On the biggest stage, up against an in-form South African outfit, Kerr overcame challenging conditions to score a crucial 43 from 38 balls before removing the dangerous Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch in figures of three for 24 with the ball to thwart the chase and set up a 32-win victory amid wild celebrations.
>While her year will be best remembered for her historic feats in the shortest format, Kerr also impressed in ODIs, hitting 264 runs at an average of 33.00 and taking 14 wickets which included four-wicket hauls against India and Australia.
The 24-year-old overcame South African skipper Wolvaardt; fellow Dream11 Super Smash performer, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu; and Australia’s Annabel Sutherland to win the award, backing up her Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year success on Saturday.
Said Kerr, “It's a huge honour to win the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year. I guess for me individual awards aren't something you think about much, but this is an extremely special one.
“It’s nice to be able to contribute for New Zealand, I guess that's all any cricketer wants is to work hard and put out performances for their teammates.
"There are so many people that have helped me achieve what I have, and I'm very grateful for the support network I have around me.”