The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the Women’s Player of the Month for March 2026 on April 14. The New Zealand captain, Amelia Kerr, earned this award thanks to her dominant all-round performances during the home series against South Africa and Zimbabwe. She fought against fellow nominees Ayabonga Khaka of South Africa and Beth Mooney of Australia to claim the title.
This victory marks the third time Kerr has won the monthly award. She previously received the award in February 2022 and October 2024. The decision came after a combined vote by a panel of specialists comprising former international players and media representatives.
Amelia Kerr’s Bowling Records Against Zimbabwe
Amelia Kerr started the month of March with an incredible display of leg-spin bowling in the One Day International (ODI) series against Zimbabwe. The New Zealand captain led the team to a convincing 3-0 series win. Kerr took 18 wickets in just four ODIs.
In the second ODI against Zimbabwe, the 25-year-old leader took 7 wickets for just 34 runs. This is recorded as the best bowling ever for a New Zealand woman in the ODI format. Additionally, she maintained an impressive economy rate of 3.77 throughout the month.
Kerr was named the Player of the Series for the Zimbabwe ODIs, all thanks to her wickets and disciplined bowling. Her average during this bowling run was a remarkable 6.77.
T20I Success Against South Africa
Amelia Kerr is an all-rounder who performed exceptionally well as a top-order batter. She was the third-highest run scorer in the ODI series. She made 140 runs with an average of 46.67 runs per game.
New Zealand played a five-match T20I series against South Africa and secured a 4-1 victory. The captain played an important role, scoring 276 runs. Also, she extended a record-breaking streak by scoring 30 or more runs in 11 consecutive T20I innings. Throughout the T20I format, she maintained a strike rate of 158.62.
Similarly, she took six wickets across the T20I series, including a best of 2 wickets for just 6 runs against South Africa. These combined efforts led to her being named the Player of the Series for the T20I format as well.
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How Kerr Changed After Taking Leadership
Kerr took over the white-ball captaincy from long-time leader Sophie Devine. Experts noted that the added responsibility of captaincy seemed to elevate her on-field performance.
Following her exceptional March statistics, Kerr rose to the number 1 position in the ICC Women’s T20I all-rounder rankings.
ICC shared a post featuring Kerr’s comment upon winning ICC Women’s Player of the Month. She mentioned that her team’s belief was the highlight of the month for her. Kerr also stated that the team’s collective effort means more than individual awards.
What’s Next for Kerr in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2026
New Zealand’s coaching staff and fans view Kerr’s current form as a vital sign for the near future. The White Ferns are preparing to defend their title at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England. This major tournament is scheduled to begin on June 12, 2026.
Because Kerr can impact the game with her leg-spin, her aggressive batting, and her new leadership style, she is considered New Zealand’s most important player heading into the global event. Her ability to perform under pressure will be key to New Zealand’s success on English soil.
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