ICC Teams Of The Year: Suzie Bates To Lead the ODI Side

Suzie Bates, the former New Zealand skipper has been chosen as the leader of a well-represented multi-nation ICC ODI Team of the Year for 2018. Meanwhile, the XI includes two New Zealanders, two Indians, two Englishwomen, two South Africans, and one each from Australia, Pakistan and the Windies based on their performances in 2018.

The southpaw from India Smriti Madhana will open the innings along with Tammy Beaumont, who had two hundred in the year and did especially well against the top eight teams. However, the middle order is high on firepower with all of Bates, Sophie Devine and Alyssa Healy slotting in. Although Bates has stepped down from captaincy, it has only opened her batting. She averaged a remarkable 73, smashing 438 runs at a strike-rate of 102.09, which included two centuries.

South African skipper Dane van Niekerk makes into the side on the basis of her consistency as she averages 55.55 in 11 innings. Deandra Dottin made it to the XI solely based on her abilities with the ball. She and the ever consistent Marizanne Kapp, along with Devine and Bates offer the pace bowling options in this team.

Sophie Ecclestone, Sana Mir, and India’s Poonam Yadav complete the spin department. In a team filled with experience, Ecclestone is only the young cricketer who only has 13 ODIs to her name.

ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2018 (in batting order):

Smriti Mandhana (India), Tammy Beaumont (England), Suzie Bates (New Zealand) (captain), Dane van Niekerk (South Africa), Sophie Devine (New Zealand), Alyssa Healy (Australia) (wicketkeeper), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Deandra Dottin (Windies), Sana Mir (Pakistan), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Poonam Yadav (India).