White Ferns star Amelia Kerr named ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year

The accolades won’t stop coming for White Ferns all-rounder Amelia Kerr, who has been named the ICC’s women’s cricketer of the year.

Already having banked the women’s Twenty20 player of the year honour, and player of the tournament in the White Ferns’ T20 World Cup victory in the UAE, Kerr has been awarded the Heyhoe Flint Trophy.

The 24-year-old becomes the first New Zealander to win the award, on the back of a career-best 12 months, notably in the T20 format.

In 18 T20 Internationals, Kerr scored 387 runs at an average of just over 24, complemented by 29 wickets at 15.55. In nine one-day internationals, she made 264 runs at 33, to go with 14 wickets at 27.42.

As the only Kiwi nominated for a player of the year award, Kerr beat out South Africa and Sri Lanka opening batters Laura Wolvaardt and Chamari Athapaththu for the honour, and dedicated her achievement to her teammates.

“It’s not really what you play for, or what you think about,” Kerr told Newstalk ZB’s D’Arcy Waldegrave. “But it’s nice that after a tough year, at times, with the White Ferns.

“To top it off with the World Cup, and to be able to perform at different stages throughout the year was the highlight.

“The most special thing is the people I get to share it with. I love representing New Zealand with that group.

“They’re awesome girls and some of my best mates. It means a lot.”

Since her international debut as a 16-year-old, Kerr has been a mainstay of the White Ferns.

In 2018, she became the first player - male or female - to score a double-century and take a five-wicket haul in the same ODI.

And as the White Ferns face an impending transition as some of the greatest to ever wear the silver fern approach the end of their careers, Kerr will almost certainly be in contention to replace Sophie Devine as T20 captain.

But despite all her achievements, so far, Kerr isn’t content.

“That’s the great thing about cricket, there’s so many aspects to the game,” she continued. “You’re never the complete player, you can always keep getting better.

“That’s the exciting thing for me, I’ve been around the international circuit for a while now, but I’m still very young.

“There’s still so much more I can do to keep getting better.”

Arguably, the only thing missing from Kerr’s record are achievements in test cricket.

The White Ferns haven’t played a test since 2004, and seen the likes of Devine, Suzie Bates, Amy Satterthwaite, Katey Martin and Lea Tahuhu go through their whole careers waiting for a chance.

But as other nations continue to invest in the longest form of the women’s game, Kerr is hopeful New Zealand will get the same opportunities in the years to come.

“Test cricket, everyone speaks about how much everyone loves playing the game. I’d absolutely love to play it.

“I’ve never played a red ball game in my life. There’s obviously a lot of things that would have to be put in place beforehand in terms of loading, for physical reasons and injury management.

“The women’s Ashes is starting very soon, I know they love playing in that.

“I know if the White Ferns got an opportunity one day, the girls would be putting their hands up.”

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission