Atapattu nominated for Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year

Jan. 3 (Daily Mirror) - Three all-rounders and the top-ranked women's T20I bowler have been shortlisted for the ICC Women's T20I Cricketer of the Year 2023 Award.

• Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

470 runs and 8 wickets in 16 matches

The year that was

The veteran Sri Lankan started the year with a Player of the Match performance in Cape Town in the Women's T20 World Cup, smashing 68 off 50 balls to help Sri Lanka beat South Africa by three runs. The big upset win set the tone for a remarkable year for Sri Lanka women and Athapaththu was at the forefront of it all.

She finished with 470 runs in the year, scoring at a quicker-than-usual strike-rate of 130.91. With 15 sixes in the year, she also hit a personal high in Women's T20Is. 

In the second half of the year, Athapaththu hit a purple patch, recording an unbeaten 80 in 47 balls in Colombo to help Sri Lanka pull back a win in the three-match series against New Zealand. Athapaththu’s assault blew the White Ferns attack away as Sri Lanka went on to chase 141 with all 10 wickets to spare. She then went on to play a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s series triumph over England in England.

Memorable Performance

Athapaththu’s best came in Derby in the series-decider against England. With a chance to create history, Athapaththu led Sri Lanka’s fight with a remarkable all-round display.

She took 3/21, including the big wicket of Amy Jones, to help restrict England to 116 and killed the run-chase with a spectacular 28-ball 44 opening the batting. Her intent was clear right from the get go as she slammed Kate Cross for a six off just the eighth ball in the run-chase.

Notably, the skipper was also the star in Sri Lanka's maiden t20I triumph over England in the second game of the series with a match-winning half-century and 1/11 in three overs.

• Sophie Ecclestone (England)

23 wickets in 11 matches at 10.60

The year that was

The top-ranked women's T20I bowler finished the Women's T20 World Cup with 11 wickets, the most by anyone. Ecclestone’s sensational showing in the tournament saw her go past 800 rating points, becoming just the second bowler to do so in the MRF Tyres ICC Women's T20I Bowling rankings. 

She played a starring role in the T20 World Cup campaign for England, even putting in a brilliant showing in the semi-final, where her 3/22 wasn't quite enough for England to beat South Africa.

• Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

700 runs and 19 wickets in 14 matches

The year that was

The No.1 ranked MRF Tyres ICC Women's T20I all-rounder put on a remarkable performance for the ages against Australia in a bilateral T20I series in the second half of the year. Her stellar showing in the series saw her make scores of 99*, 132 and 79 as the West Indies skipper proved to be a thorn to the Australian side.

• Ellyse Perry (Australia)

319 runs and 6 wickets wickets in 14 matches

The year that was

Ellyse Perry had a surprisingly ordinary T20 World Cup by her standards, making just 60 runs in four innings with the bat and taking three wickets in the six matches. But she ended the year on a high, putting together scores of 51*, 34, 70 and 40 in the bilaterals against England and West Indies.