Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu Nominated for Two Prestigious ICC Awards 2024
Chamari Athapaththu, the celebrated Sri Lankan cricket captain, has added another feather to her cap by earning nominations for two prestigious categories in the ICC Awards 2024: the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year. These nominations highlight her consistent brilliance, remarkable leadership, and outstanding performances throughout the year, cementing her status as a global cricketing icon.
Chamari Athapaththu’s Remarkable Year in Cricket
Chamari Athapaththu’s cricketing journey in 2024 has been nothing short of extraordinary. She has showcased her prowess as an all-rounder, leading Sri Lanka from the front with her aggressive batting, strategic captaincy, and unmatched resilience. Athapaththu’s heroics have significantly contributed to elevating Sri Lanka’s women’s cricket team on the international stage, earning her accolades from fans and critics alike.
Her performances in both T20I and ODI formats this year have been exemplary. Athapaththu consistently delivered match-winning innings, including several centuries and half-centuries that turned the tide in Sri Lanka’s favor. Notably, her ability to dominate world-class bowling attacks has been a key factor in her dual nominations.
Focus on ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Nomination
Athapaththu’s nomination for the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year is a testament to her incredible consistency and impact in the 50-over format. Facing some of the toughest opponents in world cricket, she amassed impressive runs with a combination of elegance and power. Her performances against teams like Australia, India, and South Africa have drawn widespread admiration.
The competition for the award is fierce, with other nominees including:
- Smriti Mandhana (India): Known for her grace and explosive batting at the top order.
- Annabel Sutherland (Australia): An all-rounder with a knack for delivering in crunch moments.
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): A prolific run-scorer and one of the finest batters of her generation.
Despite the stiff competition, Athapaththu’s exceptional performances make her a strong contender for this coveted title.
ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year Nomination
In the shorter format, Chamari Athapaththu’s nomination for the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year underscores her ability to adapt and excel. Her aggressive approach at the top of the order has been instrumental in setting competitive totals and chasing daunting targets.
Athapaththu is joined in this category by:
- Amelia Kerr (New Zealand): A dynamic all-rounder known for her leg-spin and batting heroics.
- Orla Prendergast (Ireland): A rising star with consistent performances in the middle order.
- Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa): Adding another nomination to her name for her stellar contributions in T20 cricket.
Athapaththu’s fearless attitude and ability to take on any bowling attack make her a standout nominee.
Sri Lanka’s Strong Presence in ICC Awards 2024
Chamari Athapaththu’s nominations aren’t the only highlights for Sri Lanka in the ICC Awards 2024. Several other Sri Lankan cricketers have been recognized for their outstanding performances this year:
- Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Mendis are in the race for ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.
- Kamindu Mendis has been shortlisted for ICC Emerging Men’s Cricketer of the Year.
These nominations reflect Sri Lanka’s growing dominance in international cricket and the country’s ability to nurture world-class talent.
How Winners Are Selected
The ICC Awards 2024 follow a rigorous selection process. Shortlists are prepared by a specialist panel of cricket writers and broadcasters, who consider players’ on-field performances and overall impact throughout the calendar year. The final winners are determined through a combination of fan votes and selections made by the ICC Voting Academy, comprising prominent international cricket media.
Fans can cast their votes for their favorite players at icc-cricket.com. Voting is open for various categories, with the winners set to be announced in late January 2025.
What Makes Chamari Athapaththu a Strong Contender?
Chamari Athapaththu’s cricketing achievements in 2024 extend beyond mere statistics. Her ability to perform under pressure, inspire her teammates, and lead by example has solidified her reputation as one of the finest players in women’s cricket today. Whether it’s her blistering centuries or her calm, calculated knocks in challenging conditions, Athapaththu’s contributions have been pivotal for Sri Lanka.
ICC Awards 2024: A Platform to Celebrate Excellence
The ICC Awards 2024 aim to celebrate and honor the best cricketing talents across the globe. From recognizing emerging players to celebrating seasoned campaigners, the awards showcase the incredible diversity and talent in cricket today.
Here are some of the categories and nominees revealed so far:
- ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: Wanindu Hasaranga (SL), Kusal Mendis (SL), Azmatullah Omarzai (AFG), Sherfane Rutherford (WI)
- ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year: Annerie Dercksen (SA), Saskia Horley (SCO), Shreyanka Patil (IND), Freya Sargent (IRE)
With Chamari Athapaththu’s dual nominations, the stage is set for a thrilling awards season.
