South Africa’s rising star, Annerie Dercksen, has been named the ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year for 2024.
The talented all-rounder made her international debut in January 2023 during a T20I series against India and West Indies, and since then, has continued to impress. Although she played just five T20Is in her first year, 2024 marked her breakthrough year, where she made her Test and ODI debuts, solidifying her place in South Africa’s squad.
Dercksen truly came into her own this year, showcasing her all-round abilities with both bat and ball. She demonstrated composure at the crease, guiding South Africa through tough chases and stabilizing innings when needed. One of her notable performances was a crucial 27 runs in South Africa’s only victory during their limited-overs series against England in late 2024.
With the ball, the medium pacer impressed, picking up 11 wickets across formats and highlighting her potential as a versatile all-rounder.
Dercksen’s 2024 in Review:
- 161 runs and 5 wickets in 17 T20Is
- 60 runs in 2 Tests
- 70 runs and 6 wickets in 4 ODIs
Dercksen was an integral part of South Africa’s remarkable journey in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, where they reached the final, ultimately falling short against New Zealand. Her consistent performances with both bat and ball were key to her team’s success.
In T20Is, Dercksen maintained an average of 32.2, helping South Africa navigate difficult situations. She also picked up five wickets, including a career-best 2/5 against Sri Lanka in March.
The ICC has announced its ODI Team of the Year, with no Indian players making the cut
In ODIs, her standout performance came with the ball, taking a career-best 3/16 in South Africa’s win against England. As for Tests, her best score was 41 in Bloemfontein, where she played a key role in rebuilding the innings with a crucial 92-run partnership.
Memorable Performance: Before the Women’s T20 World Cup, Dercksen had limited batting chances, but she made her mark in the T20I series against Pakistan. In a must-win game, she smashed an unbeaten 44 off just 23 balls, including six fours and two sixes. Her explosive knock helped South Africa chase down 154, clinching the series and earning her the Player of the Match award.
