The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for the Women’s Player of the Month for March 2026. Among the standout candidates are New Zealand’s Melie Kerr, Australia’s Beth Mooney, and South Africa’s Ayabonga Khaka. Melie Kerr, the captain of the New Zealand team, exhibited exceptional form during a series against Zimbabwe and South Africa. Kerr participated in four One Day Internationals (ODIs) and six Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), showcasing her all-round capabilities. Her performances elevated her to the top of the ICC Women’s T20I all-rounder rankings.

In the ODIs, Kerr secured 18 wickets at an impressive average of 6.77, with her best figures being 7/34 in the second ODI against Zimbabwe, marking the best ever bowling figures for a New Zealand player in ODIs. In the T20I series, she claimed six wickets with a best of 2/6 against South Africa in the concluding T20I. Under her leadership, the White Ferns clinched the series 4-1. Additionally, her batting was formidable as she amassed 276 runs in the T20I series, continuing her remarkable streak of 11 consecutive scores of 30 or more. In the ODIs, Kerr recorded 176 runs, including a highest score of 80 in the third ODI against Zimbabwe, where she also took five wickets, cementing her all-round prowess.

Beth Mooney’s Consistent Performance

Beth Mooney played a crucial role for Australia throughout March, effectively anchoring the team’s batting across various formats. She commenced the month with an unbeaten 106 runs off 84 balls against India, contributing significantly to a comfortable 185-run victory that secured a 3-0 series win for Australia. Following this achievement, Mooney maintained her form during the T20I series against the West Indies, where she accumulated 107 runs at an average of 35.66 and a strike rate of 128.91 over three matches. Notably, she earned the Player of the Match award in the first T20I with a significant score of 79, which set the foundation for Australia’s triumph.

Mooney concluded the month with a notable 65 runs in yet another ODI victory against the West Indies, reinforcing her status as a key player for her team.

Ayabonga Khaka’s Bowling Brilliance

Ayabonga Khaka emerged as a standout bowler during South Africa’s tour of New Zealand, leading her team in the wicket-taking charts in the T20I series. In the T20I series, Khaka took eight wickets at an average of 15.37, with her best performance being 4/27 in the second T20I, which was instrumental in securing an 18-run victory for South Africa. In her only ODI appearance for the month, she achieved a career-best bowling performance of 6/56 in Christchurch, playing a vital role in South Africa’s win.

The nominations highlight the exceptional talent and contributions of these players in women’s cricket, showcasing their skills on international platforms and recognizing their impact in recent matches.

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