The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the latest set of winners in the ongoing ICC Awards 2024, with the outstanding cricketers in Men’s Tests and Men’s and Women’s ODIs revealed on ICC channels.
A double success for India sees Jasprit Bumrah crowned the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, with compatriot Smriti Mandhana sealing her second ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year.
Elsewhere in the ODI category, Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai has clinched the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award after his impressive all-round exploits in a memorable 2024.
Bumrah claims the Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award after a sensational year with the ball saw him take 71 wickets in the longest format at a staggering average of just 14.92.
The 31-year-old returned his best Test haul in 2024, taking 19 more than his nearest rival and consolidating his position as the number one ranked bowler in the ICC Men’s Test Bowler rankings.
A landmark year saw him grab the headlines with sensational wicket-taking spells in Tests against South Africa, England, Bangladesh and more recently in Australia, where he led the wicket-takers in a Player of the Series display down under.
Bumrah overcame fellow nominees England’s Harry Brook and Joe Root, plus ICC Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year Kamindu Mendis to win the award, becoming the first Indian cricketer since Virat Kohli in 2018 to do so.
ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year, Jasprit Bumrah: “I am deeply honored to receive the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. Test cricket has always been a format I hold close to my heart, and to be recognized on this platform is truly special.
“This award is not just a reflection of my individual efforts but also of the unwavering support of my teammates, coaches, and fans who continue to believe and inspire me every day. Representing India is a privilege I deeply cherish, and knowing my efforts bring smiles to people around the world makes this journey even more special.”
Elsewhere, Smriti Mandhana won her first ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award since 2018 after a stellar year in which she amassed 747 runs at an average of 57.46.
The Indian opener continues to thrive on the international stage, and ended the year with more runs and centuries than any other player, passing three figures in sublime knocks against New Zealand, Australia and in back-to-back contests against South Africa.
The 28-year-old triumphed in a hotly contested category, seeing off South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, Australia’s Annabel Sutherland, and 2023’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu.
ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, Smriti Mandhana: “It’s been an absolute honour to win the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Award for 2024. I remember how special it was to have won this award in 2018 for the first time. It had fuelled my ambition to do well for my country. And now, having won the award for the second time it will motivate me even more to strive for excellence.
“It is an immense joy and a matter of pride to represent my country at the highest level and it makes me happy to play a role in helping the team succeed. I want to dedicate this award to my teammates, coaches and family who have been my absolute pillars of support.”
Rounding off Monday’s announcements was the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, won by Afghanistan’s talented all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai, who capped a thrilling year with 417 runs at an average of 52.12, and 17 wickets at 20.47.
Azmatullah began the year hitting his maiden century in the format, a career-best score of 149 not out against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. Another half-century followed two matches later against the same opposition before more impressive scores came against South Africa and Bangladesh.
The all-rounder’s wicket haul lands him in the top ten in the format across the year, highlighted by another career milestone when he took his best figures of four for 18 against Zimbabwe in December.
A remarkable year of sustained performances saw the 24-year-old land the award from the West Indies’ Sherfane Rutherford and Sri Lankan pair Kusal Mendis and Wanindu Hasaranga.
ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year, Azmatullah Omarzai: “I am very proud to have been named the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year after a memorable year. It is an honour that I cherish both as an individual and as part of a talented Afghanistan team.
“I would like to thank my teammates, coaches, support staff and fans for their support and prayers. It is thanks to these that I have been able to win this award.”
Announcements in the ICC Awards 2024 will conclude on Tuesday, with the highly anticipated announcement of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year and the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year
The winners in 12 individual categories are determined by both the ICC Voting Academy and global fans, who registered over 1.5million votes at icc-cricket.com during a twelve-day voting period between 30 December 2024 and 10 January 2025.
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