The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed the nominees for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for March 2026, featuring a standout trio of Amelia Kerr, Beth Mooney, and Ayabonga Khaka. The shortlist highlights a month defined by dominant all-round displays, consistent batting contributions, and impactful bowling performances across formats.
Amelia Kerr’s all-round excellence
New Zealand captain Amelia Kerr leads the nominations following an exceptional stretch with both bat and ball. In four ODIs, she accumulated 176 runs at a strike rate of 78.57 while taking an outstanding 18 wickets at an average of 6.77. Her spell of 7/34 against Zimbabwe stands as the best ODI bowling figures by a New Zealand woman.
Her impact continued in T20Is, where she scored 276 runs at a strike rate of 158.62 and picked up six wickets across six matches. Kerr also recorded 11 consecutive scores of 30 or more in T20Is during this period. Her performances earned her Player of the Series awards in both ODI and T20I series victories against Zimbabwe and South Africa, strengthening her push for a third ICC monthly honour.
Beth Mooney’s consistency across formats
Australia’s Beth Mooney also enjoyed a highly productive month, delivering key performances in multiple conditions. She began with an unbeaten 106 off 84 balls against India in Hobart, helping Australia complete an ODI series sweep.
Mooney maintained her form during the Caribbean tour, scoring 107 runs in three T20Is at a strike rate of 128.91, including a match-winning 79 in the opening game against the West Indies. She concluded the month with a valuable 65 in an ODI against the West Indies, once again underlining her role as a dependable top-order batter.
Ayabonga Khaka’s impact with the ball
South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka rounds out the nominations after delivering key performances during her side’s tour of New Zealand. She emerged as South Africa’s leading wicket-taker in the T20I series, claiming eight wickets in four matches at an average of 15.37, with best figures of 4/27.
Khaka carried that form into the ODI series, producing a career-best 6/56 in Christchurch, a performance that played a crucial role in South Africa’s victory. Her ability to strike consistently and lead the bowling attack across formats has placed her firmly among the contenders.
Award context and voting process
The March nominations follow February’s award, which was won by Arundhati Reddy after her impressive bowling displays in Australia. The ICC Player of the Month awards recognise the top performers in international cricket based on their performances during a calendar month.
The winner will be determined through a combination of fan voting and selections made by the ICC Voting Academy. With all three nominees delivering match-winning contributions throughout March, the contest remains closely poised.
