New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr has cemented her place as one of the brightest stars in women’s cricket after being crowned the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024. Despite her outstanding performances, the 24-year-old insists she has yet to reach her full potential.
A Stellar Year for Kerr
Kerr played a crucial role in leading New Zealand to their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title in Dubai last year. She was the standout performer in the final against South Africa and was also named the tournament’s best player.
However, despite her latest honor from the International Cricket Council, Kerr remains focused on improving her game.
“If I were to say at 24 that I’ve reached my best, that would be pretty disappointing,” Kerr remarked during a media interaction organized by the ICC on Thursday. “There’s always room to grow. In men’s cricket, 24 is not considered a peak age, and I believe the same applies to the women’s game.”
Areas for Improvement
Kerr is keen to refine both her batting and bowling skills. “With my bowling, I want to enhance my accuracy, possibly introduce a slider, and have more confidence in varying my pace,” she explained. “As for batting, developing more power is something I’m looking to work on.”
A Cricketing Heritage
Born into a family with deep cricketing roots, Kerr’s passion for the sport was nurtured from a young age. Her grandfather, Bruce Murray, represented New Zealand in 13 Test matches between 1968 and 1971. Both of her parents played cricket at the domestic level, and her older sister, Jess Kerr, was also part of New Zealand’s World Cup-winning squad.
Kerr’s upbringing in Wellington played a key role in shaping her approach to the game. Recalling a piece of advice from her father, she shared, “He once told me, ‘If I arrive at a match and see you walking off the field, I shouldn’t be able to tell from your expression whether you got out for a duck or scored a century.’ That mindset has stayed with me.”
Growth of Women’s Cricket
Making her international debut at just 16, Kerr has been part of the rapid rise of women’s cricket. She credits the increasing investment in global competitions, such as the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia and the Women’s Premier League in India, for elevating the game to new heights.
With her unwavering determination and relentless pursuit of excellence, Amelia Kerr is poised to achieve even greater success in the years to come.
