It's official - Wellington Blaze captain Melie Kerr is the best T20 cricketer in the world.
Kerr has won the 2024 ICC Award for Women's T20 International Cricketer of the Year, announced overnight and edging fellow finalist Chamari Athapathuthu (currently starring for Northern Brave) in the hotly contested category.
"It's a huge honour to win the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year award," said Kerr.
"With it being a T20 World Cup year, this format was really important.
"I love the responsibility that the WHITE FERNS have given me, and the teammates I have around me who back me, and it's a team I love playing for.”
PHOTOSPORT
As New Zealand’s premier allrounder, Kerr was at the peak of her powers in 2024, amassing 387 runs and taking 29 wickets at 15.55 in a landmark year for the national side.
Runs and wickets came in bursts in short format series against England and Australia, before the 24-year-old lit up the Women’s T20 World Cup in the UAE in sensational fashion.
After stifling India in their eye-catching opening round victory, Kerr claimed four wickets against defending champions Australia. Skilled bowling performances prompted more wickets in victories over Sri Lanka, Pakistan and the semi-final win over West Indies before her final heroics.
On a challenging surface against an in-form bowling outfit, Kerr top scored with a priceless 43 from 38 balls to steer New Zealand to a competitive total of 158.
Then, with the ball, she claimed three wickets for 24, including the prized scalps of Laura Wolvaardt and Anneke Bosch to restrict the chase and secure a 32-win victory amid jubilant scenes in Dubai.
Kerr wins from fellow short format stars Chamari Athapaththu, Orla Prendergast and Wolvaardt, and in doing so emulates compatriot Suzie Bates (Otago Sparks) as the only other New Zealander to have previously claimed the T20I prize.