Wellington Blaze captain Melie Kerr and Northern Brave's Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu - back for another Super Smash campaign - have been shortlisted as one of four finalists for the ICC's T20 International Women's Player of the Year.
All-round standout Chamari Athapaththu helped propel Northern Brave women to their best ever finish last season in the Super Smash - and today Northern Districts announced she is back for another crack!
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Kerr meanwhile finished as both the top runscorer and top wicket-taker in last season's women's Dream11 Super Smash.
PHOTOSPORT
The WHITE FERN from Tawa produced 437 runs and 20 wickets from 10 games, including four half tons and two five-wicket-bags, and led her Wellington Blaze side to the Grand Final - where the Blaze beat the Central Hinds by one run for the trophy.
Kerr was selected as the Dream11 Gamechanger in the big game as well.
PHOTOSPORT
Sri Lanka captain Athapaththu played a big part in ensuring Northern Brave was the top qualifier for the Elimination Final, and was in the league's top seven most productive runscorers last summer with 221 runs from nine games as Brave's 2023/24 overseas signing.
PHOTOSPORT
Athapaththu has been shortlisted for both the ICC ODI and T20I player of the year accolades, while Kerr will surely be a frontrunner after helping the WHITE FERNS to claim their maiden ICC T20 World Cup title.
She was the standout performer at the premier world event – setting a new record for wicket-taking, and producing a brilliant display in the Final to secure the trophy.
She gains her nomination after a total of 29 wickets and 387 runs in T20 internationals during the 2024 calendar year.
PHOTOSPORT
Defending champs Wellington Blaze will be one of the last teams to kick off their new season Dream11 Super Smash campaign when they head to Hamilton to play their first doubleheader against Northern Brave on New Year's Day.
Then it's off to Nelson for a Grand Final rematch with the Central Hinds on 4 January. Watch every ball live on TVNZ+ and TVNZ Duke.