TOP RECOGNITION

Mandhana named Cricketer of the Year, Healy wins T20 honour

by Cricbuzz Staff • Last updated on

Smriti Mandhana amassed 669 runs in 12 ODIs at an average of 66.90 © ICC

India's swashbuckling top-order batter Smriti Mandhana became just the second Indian after fast bowler Jhulan Goswami (2007) to win an ICC award as she has been named the Women's Cricketer of the Year and the Women's ODI Player of the Year. Australia's keeper-bat Alyssa Healy took home the T20 honours while England's 19-year-old left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone has been named the Emerging Player of the Year.

In the voting period between January 1 to December 31, Mandhana proved to be the vital cog of India's batting unit as she amassed 669 runs in 12 ODIs at an average of 66.90 and complemented it with equally incredible T20I numbers - 622 in 25 games at a strike rate of 130.67.

"The awards are pretty special because as a player when you score runs, you want the team to win, and then when you get acknowledged for your performances through these awards, it motivates you to work harder and do well for your team," Mandhana said.

Mandhana also had the added motivation of proving herself to some of her detractors who reckoned she doesn't score enough at home. "The century I scored in South Africa (in Kimberley) was quite satisfying and then I had good home series against Australia and England. A lot of people used to say I do not score that much in India, so I had a point to prove to myself. That was something which really made me better as a player. And then, of course, the first four matches of the ICC Women's World T20 were quite memorable," she added.

Healy, meanwhile, had an unforgettable time at the Women's World T20, which her team won by beating rivals England in the final. Healy herself played a big role in the outcome, scoring 225 runs in six games at the showpiece event.

"It [the award] is obviously a huge honour. I enjoyed some form over the last couple of months, thoroughly enjoyed playing for the Aussie team in the T20I format. Winning the ICC Women's World T20 final against England is something pretty special, especially after a disappointing couple of years in World Cups. That win against them, a dominant performance, was pretty special and one I will never forget," Healy said.

"When I first started playing for Australia I never thought that I would achieve anything like this. It's a huge honour and one that I will not take lightly," she added.

England tyro Ecclestone's breakout year earned her 18 wickets in nine ODIs and 17 in 14 T20Is, and an enjoyable phase of 12 months. "I am really delighted to win this award. The most important thing is winning on the field but it's nice to be recognised. I work really hard to try and improve my game and I've really enjoyed the last 12 months. It was my first full year as an England player after finishing my education so it's amazing to get an award like this," she said.

Bates, Harmanpreet named captains of ODI and T20I team of the year

The ICC also announced the Women's teams of the year in the limited-overs formats, with New Zealand's Suzie Bates named the captain of ODI team while India's T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was appointed to lead the T20 team.

Smriti Mandhana and Poonam Yadav were the two Indians who featured in both teams while Alyssa Healy and Suzie Bates were the other common names in both squads.

ICC Women's ODI Team of the Year: Smriti Mandhana (India), Tammy Beaumont (England), Suzie Bates (New Zealand) (captain), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa), Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Alyssa Healy (Australia) (wicketkeeper), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Deandra Dottin (Windies), Sana Mir (Pakistan), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Poonam Yadav (India)

ICC Women's T20I Team of the Year: Smriti Mandhana (India), Alyssa Healy (Australia) (wicketkeeper), Suzie Bates (New Zealand), Harmanpreet Kaur (India) (captain), Natalie Sciver (England), Ellyse Perry (Australia), Ashleigh Gardner (Australia), Leigh Kasperek (New Zealand), Megan Schutt (Australia), Rumana Ahmed (Bangladesh), Poonam Yadav (India)

© Cricbuzz

TAGS