Photo Credit: Professional Cricketers’ Association
Nat Sciver-Brunt tops the PCA MVP Rankings to claim trophy.
Nat Sciver-Brunt has won the 2023 Metro Bank ODI Women’s Player of the Summer after finishing the campaign as the number one player on the PCA MVP Rankings.
The England all-rounder enjoyed a stunning summer in 50-over international cricket, scoring 393 runs at an average of 131 and a strike-rate of 107.4. Sciver-Brunt was presented the trophy at the conclusion of the Metro Bank ODI series against Sri Lanka at The Uptonsteel County Ground in a game she captained on her 100th ODI appearance.
The 31-year-old also took three wickets on her way to securing 114 MVP points largely thanks to two phenomenal back-to-back hundreds against Australia in the Metro Bank Women’s Ashes series.
The 2022 cinch PCA Women’s Player of the Year won three Match MVP awards during the summer, earning 38 MVP points for her unbelievable unbeaten innings of 111 off just 99 balls, alongside bowling her 10 overs for 44.
In the third Metro Bank Women’s Ashes ODI game, Sciver-Brunt produced a fabulous innings of 129 off 149 balls including 15 fours and a six to claim a further 37 points as England won by 67 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method and claimed the series 2-1.
Captaining her country in the third Metro Bank ODI against Sri Lanka, Sciver-Brunt produced another Match MVP performance, securing 23 points for an unbelievable knock of 120 off just 74 balls – the fastest ODI century by an English woman, passing the landmark in a mere 66 balls.
The Women’s International summer has drawn to a close with some impressive cricket on display throughout. Highlights include England’s series wins over Australia in the IT20 and ODI Metro Bank Women’s Ashes as well as a resounding 2-0 victory in the Metro Bank ODI series against Sri Lanka.
On receiving the award, Sciver-Brunt said: “I’m pleased to win the award and I was really happy to bat the way I did today and continue on what I was doing against Australia.
“When we play so much cricket throughout the summer you just have to be right in the mind and in the body. I missed the T20s to rest a little and be switched on for the ODIs.
“The plan is to be back with the ball for the India series in December, the plan not to bowl post Ashes was to give the body a bit of a rest, but I’m looking forward to picking up the ball again.
“When players come in they’re taking their opportunities and showing the reasons why they’ve been picked, so we have a real strength in depth which is great to have.”
The Metro Bank ODI Women’s Player of the Summer was selected by the PCA Most Valuable Player Rankings, sponsored by Argentex. The formula takes into account expected performance on every ball according to CricViz’s extensive database.
The algorithm also considers the historic performances of the venue each fixture is being played at, therefore giving a more accurate reflection of the top performers in the game than traditional batting and bowling averages do.
Heather Knight came second in the table, finishing with 44 MVP points thanks to scoring 176 runs at an average of 58.6 and a strike-rate of 88.4.
The England captain picked up a Match MVP award in the first Metro Bank Women’s Ashes ODI game, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 75 off 86 balls including six fours and a six, earning 23 MVP points.
The 32-year-old also produced a fantastic innings of 67 off 72 balls in the third Metro Bank ODI against Australia, putting on 147 in a partnership with Sciver-Brunt.
Not far behind her skipper was leg-spinner Sarah Glenn in third place after scoring 38 MVP points during the Metro Bank ODI games this summer.
The 24-year-old took an impressive seven wickets at an average of 20.4 with an economy rate of 3.9.
With the conclusion of the Women’s International fixtures for the summer, the Overall Women’s International MVP winner has also been decided. Sciver-Brunt came out on top as Danni Wyatt finished second with skipper Heather Knight in third.
View the final ODI and Overall Women’s International tables here.
Name of Author: Professional Cricketers Association
The Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA), founded in 1967 by former England fast bowler Fred Rumsey as the Cricketers’ Association, represents past and present first-class cricketers in England and Wales. In the 1970s, the PCA established a standard employment contract and minimum wage for professional cricketers. It also helped create a pension scheme in 1995 and launched the magazine All Out Cricket and the ACE UK Educational Programme in 2002.
