New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr is the toast of her sport after winning ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year award for a stellar 2024, but says she is far from hitting her peak.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 24-year-old top-order batter and wrist spinner starred in Dubai last year to propel New Zealand to their first Women's T20 World Cup title.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kerr was named star player in the final against South Africa, and also won player of the tournament.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Despite her latest accolade this week from the International Cricket Council, Kerr said she had much to improve.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"If I was 24 and said I'm the best I can be, I think that would be pretty sad," Kerr told reporters in a Thursday media video roundtable organised by the ICC.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I want to keep getting better and better. In the men's game, a 24-year-old's not at the peak, and I think that's the same in the women's game," she added.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"With my bowling, I think the accuracy, potentially developing a slider into my game and having a bit more confidence within my bowling to mix up my pace as well. And batting, I think it's probably power that can look to improve."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kerr played cricket with boys until she was 18 and once captained an otherwise all-boys team to victory in her hometown Wellington.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Cricket runs in the family, with grandfather Bruce Murray playing 13 Tests for New Zealand between 1968-71.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Her father and mother also played the sport at domestic and local level, while pace-bowling elder sister Jess was in the World Cup-winning squad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Kerr says her family and upbringing in the suburbs of New Zealand kept her level-headed.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I think a lot of it comes from my family and the messaging we had growing up and, I guess, being raised by a village of people as well," said Kerr.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"My dad said to me once when I was really young, 'If I turn up to a ground and you're walking off the field from batting, I don't want to know from your reaction if you got a golden duck or a hundred.' My role models within my family are pretty level."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Having made her international debut at 16, Kerr's rise has coincided with the growth of the women's sport.<\/p>\r\n\r\n