IT usually takes a standout performance to knock Australia off their perch in women’s cricket, and that’s exactly what Belfast teen Amy Hunter did following a host of exceptional efforts with the bat during January.
Amy (18) beat Australia duo Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney for the International Cricket Council (ICC) January Player of the Month award after she became the youngest player in both women’s and men’s cricket at 18 years and 107 days to have scored a century in both ODI and T20I cricket, following her superb 101* in the opening game of Ireland’s T20I series against Zimbabwe in Harare.
Hunter hit 13 fours and one massive six during her entertaining innings against Zimbabwe.
The right-hander started the month slowly with scores of 36*, 21 and one in three ODIs against Zimbabwe, but it was in the three-match T20I series against the same side that she really shone.
Hunter struck the record-breaking century in Ireland’s commanding 57-run triumph to start the series and then backed up that eye-catching effort with scores of 77* and 42 to help her side on the way to an emphatic series sweep.
Hunter amassed an impressive total of 220 runs in the T20I series and deservedly claimed the Player of the Series award.
Methodist College student Amy said of her latest award: “It’s a honour to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for January. To be on a shortlist alongside two of the world’s best is something that I am immensely proud of.
“It’s been an amazing start to the year with two convincing series wins against Zimbabwe. I am pleased to have been able to contribute to the team’s success and hope to continue to do so.”
