West Indian batsman Sherfane Rutherford’s breakout year in One-Day International cricket has culminated with him being named among the nominees for the ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year award for 2024.
Noted more for his prowess in the shorter white-ball format, Sherfane Rutherford flourished in the ODI game in 2024, bringing over his batting belligerence.
Not succumbing to the pressures of playing away from home, Rutherford began his year in the format with three consecutive half-centuries against Sri Lanka, albeit in a 2-1 series defeat.
Rutherford’s 204 runs not only came at a strike rate of 107.36, but the left-hander was only dismissed once.
The 26-year-old still made an impression even with just one opportunity against England at home in Antigua, making 54 (36), though the best was yet to come in December, where Rutherford was again in the runs in a home series against Bangladesh.
Rutherford made light work of a chase of 295 in St Kitts, making 113 in just 80 balls, helping his side take a 1-0 series lead.
He closed out with an unbeaten 24* and a knock of 30 in the series, of which both helped the West Indies to a 3-0 series win.
Overall this year, Rutherford scored 425 runs in seven innings at an average of 106.25 while striking at 120.05 in 2024.
The other nominees for the award include Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai and the Sri Lankan duo Wanindu Hasaranga and Kusal Mendis.
Wanindu Hasaranga has proven to be an unstoppable force in white-ball cricket, taking 26 wickets at a phenomenal economy rate of 5.36 and an average of 15.61 overs this year in ODI cricket. His incredible journey began in January 2024 when he destroyed Zimbabwe’s batting lineup in Colombo with career-best figures of 7/19 in just 5.5 overs.
His spell reduced Zimbabwe from 43/0 to 96 all out, earning him the Player of the Match title. In February, Hasaranga followed up with a stunning 4/27 against Afghanistan in Pallekele and continued his dominance with six wickets in a three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.
The leg-spinner was more magical in August, as the Sri Lankan star claimed 3/58 against India and finished the year with consecutive standout spells against the West Indies, including 4/40 and 2/18.
ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024: Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai nominated
Afghanistan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai has established himself as one of the most dynamic all-rounders in the world, making headlines this year with both bat and ball. In 12 ODI innings, Omarzai scored 417 runs at an average of 52.12 and a strike rate of 105.56, as well as scalped 7 wickets at an impressive average of 20.47 for the Afghanistan cricket team in 2024.
Azmatullah Omarzai’s batting brilliance was on full display early in the year, with a stunning 149* off just 115 balls against Sri Lanka in Pallekele. He also shared a remarkable 242-run partnership with Mohammad Nabi. A few days later, Azmatullah followed up with a half-century in the same ODI series, but Afghanistan lost the series to Sri Lanka.
Omarzai played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s historic first-ever ODI series win over South Africa. He made an unbeaten 86* from just 50 balls in the second ODI, followed by a match-winning performance in the third ODI with 70* off 77 balls and 4/37 from 7 overs.
ICC Men’s ODI Cricketer of the Year 2024: Kusal Mendis
Kusal Mendis had an outstanding year with the willow for Sri Lanka in 2024, scoring 742 runs in 17 innings at an impressive average of 53.00 and a strike rate of 90.59. His consistency was remarkable, as he struck half-centuries against all six opponents that he faced this year in the 50-over format.
The seasoned Sri Lankan batter also delivered a career-best performance, scoring 143 runs from 128 balls against New Zealand in November 2024. Mendis started 2024 with scores of 46, 17, and 66* against Zimbabwe in January. He finished the year with impressive knocks, including 56* off just 22 balls against West Indies and 217 runs across two innings against New Zealand.
His 143 against New Zealand in Dambulla, followed by a composed 74* in Pallekele, showcased his ability to dominate with the bat. As a wicketkeeper, Mendis was also exceptional for the Islanders, claiming 19 dismissals in the ODIs this year. Sri Lanka lost only three of their 17 ODIs in 2024, and Mendis played a key role in their success with both bat and gloves in the format.
The winner will be announced in January 2025.