Hats off Nadine de Klerk (pictured) and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt who were selected as South Africa’s stand-out performers in 2023 worthy to gain entry to the ICC’s Women’s ODI and T20 Teams of the Year, respectively. File Photo: Supplied

In the dynamic realm of women’s cricket, the year 2023 unfolded with outstanding performances that left an indelible mark on the sport. South Africa’s Nadine de Klerk, stepping into the shoes of Shabnim Ismail, secured her place in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year with 16 wickets in nine ODIs, including a standout performance against Pakistan.

Laura Wolvaardt, captain of the SA senior women’s team, amassed 586 runs at an average of 45 to showcase her class in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year. Her stylish batting illuminated the T20 World Cup and away fixtures in Pakistan, cementing her position as a luminary in women’s T20 cricket.

England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt continued her dominance, clinching the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for the second time with stellar performances in the Women’s Ashes. Chamari Athapaththu led Sri Lanka to a historic bilateral series win, earning her the ICC Women’s ODI Cricket of the Year.

Hayley Matthews of the West Indies emerged as the ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year, following her outstanding displays against Australia. Australia’s rising star, Phoebe Litchfield, claimed the ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year for her stellar contributions at the top of Australia’s batting order.

These remarkable achievements coalesced into the ICC Women’s ODI and T20I Teams of the Year, reflecting the extraordinary talent that graced the field in 2023, and we take a moment to consider some of the special achievements reached:

Nadine de Klerk – ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year

South African Nadine de Klerk was named as one of the players to impress in 2023 and has been included in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year. 

De Klerk stood out as South Africa’s star bowler, filling in the gaping hole left by Shabnim Ismail’s retirement.

De Klerk took 16 wickets in nine ODIs in the year, averaging 16.68 with the ball.

The Proteas Women all-rounder’s most impressive performance came against Pakistan in Karachi, where she snared a four-wicket haul. But de Klerk was consistent in the year, taking three-plus wickets in four ODIs she played in 2023.

She also played a more than handy role with the bat, making 181 runs at an average of 45.25 with two fifties. She won the Player of the Series in Pakistan for her significant all-round contributions as South Africa won the series 2-1.

Laura Wolvaardt – ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year

De Klerk’s compatriot and current captain of the SA senior women’s team, Laura Wolvaardt features in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year. 

Only Hayley Matthews made more runs than Laura Wolvaardt’s 586 runs at 45, and the South African star enjoyed the stage of a home T20 World Cup.

The classy right-hander built into the year with a knock of 42* (39) against the West Indies in East London, and pushed on with three consecutive fifties as the Proteas made their World Cup charge.

Wolvaardt continued in the same vein when travelling to Pakistan, making 44, 41, and 72 in Karachi, before returning to South Africa and making 53 (44) against New Zealand in Benoni.

Wolvaardt’s last outing was an unbeaten 49* against Bangladesh in Kimberley.

Nat Sciver-Brunt – ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year 2023 

England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt won the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for the second year in a row.

The player remained in prime form throughout the year, with some of her most remarkable knocks coming in 2023’s Women’s Ashes against Australia. Sciver-Brunt was at her dominant best in ODI cricket.

Chamari Athapaththu – ICC Women’s ODI Cricket of the Year 2023

Chamari Athapaththu, already leading the Women’s T20I and ODI sides of the year, added another feather to her cap by winning this feat.

Athapaththu was rewarded for her exceptional year with the bat in ODIs. The Sri Lanka top-order batter made significant contributions with the bat and as captain, notably leading the side to a first bilateral series win over New Zealand.

Hayley Matthews – ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year

Hayley Matthews became just the second player from the West Indies to win the honour. Former skipper Stafanie Taylor was the previous cricketer to have won this award in 2015.

Matthews added to her reputation with some sensational knocks with the bat and her sharp work with the ball. Her very best came against Australia in Australia.

Phoebe Litchfield – ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year 

The Australia young gun, Phoebe Litchfield has been rewarded for a stellar 12 months that saw her make a great impression at international level.

Litchfield has beaten a strong field to claim the ICC Women’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award for 2023.

Litchfield edged out Bangladesh teenager Marufa Akter, England quick Lauren Bell and Scotland all-rounder Darcey Carter for the coveted award on the back of a remarkable 12 months at the top of Australia’s strong batting order.

ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year

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

ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year

Chamari Athapaththu (C)
Beth Mooney (WK)
Laura Wolvaardt
Hayley Matthews
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Amelia Kerr
Ellyse Perry
Ash Gardner
Deepti Sharma
Sophie Ecclestone
Megan Schutt


Photo Caption: Hats off Nadine de Klerk (pictured) and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt who were selected as South Africa’s stand-out performers in 2023 worthy to gain entry to the ICC’s Women’s ODI and T20 Teams of the Year, respectively. File Photo: Supplied

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