In a year that saw exceptional performances on the women’s cricket field, Sri Lanka’s charismatic leader Chamari Athapaththu has been entrusted with the captaincy of the prestigious ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year. Athapaththu’s leadership acumen and batting prowess have earned her not only the captain’s band but also a place as an opening batter in the team, further cementing her status as a mainstay in women’s cricket.
The formidable team boasts a star-studded lineup with contributions from various cricketing nations, with a notable contingent of five Australians, who have been pivotal in their team’s dominance throughout the year. At the top, alongside the Sri Lankan skipper, emerges Phoebe Litchfield, Australia’s young prodigy, who had a breakthrough year as the second-highest run-scorer in the ODI format. Gathering 485 runs in 13 ODIs with a commendable average and notching up Player of the Match awards, Litchfield’s performances were a revelation, marking her as a mainstay in the side, especially filling the void left by Rachael Haynes’ departure.
Athapaththu’s own achievements in 2023 are nothing short of remarkable. Her tally includes 415 runs in eight ODIs at an incredible average of 69.16, featuring two centuries and a half-century. More so, her leadership propelled the Sri Lankan team to a historic series win against the White Ferns—New Zealand’s Women’s team—underscoring her as a strategic and motivational leader.
New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr also earned her spot with a phenomenal year, securing the title of the leading run-scorer with 541 runs in nine games, and displaying a batting craft that is both elegant and effective. Kerr’s consistency and her ability to convert starts into significant scores have been a hallmark of her game.
Bringing experience and versatility to the middle order are Australia’s Ellyse Perry and wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney. Perry’s allround capabilities shine through her performance, amassing five fifty-plus scores in the limited ten innings she played. Mooney complements this solidity with an exceptional average stemming from her 439 runs in the year, proving to be an indispensable asset to the Australian side.
Rounding out the Australian contingent, Ash Gardner and Annabel Sutherland bolster the lower batting order with their allround skills. Gardner’s impact was instrumental in Australia’s success, whereas Sutherland’s performances have caught the attention of cricket enthusiasts around the globe.
Contributions to the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year extend beyond batting to include the prowess with the ball. South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk’s allround capabilities, New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu’s fiery spells, and Bangladesh’s Nahida Akter’s left-arm orthodox spin have all been integral to their respective teams’ fortunes and thus their inclusion in the team.
Together, this exceptional ensemble of cricketers forms the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2023, a testament to the flourishing talent in women’s cricket globally:
ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2023: Phoebe Litchfield, Chamari Athapaththu (c), Ellyse Perry, Amelia Kerr, Beth Mooney (wk), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Ash Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Nadine de Klerk, Lea Tahuhu, Nahida Akter.
The year 2023 has clearly been an exhilarating time for women’s ODI cricket, showcasing emerging talents and solidifying the reputations of established players. The ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year reflects this blend of experience and youth, providing cricket fans with names that they can expect to shine in the years to come. Chamari Athapaththu’s role as the leader of this ensemble of cricketing excellence is both an honor and a fitting tribute to her impact on the sport this past year.
