Annerie Dercksen motivated by 2024 ICC Awards nomination

Dercksen is nominated in the Emerging Player of the Year category, alongside India’s Shreyanka Patil and Scottish cricketer Saskia Horley.

Speaking to SABC Sport, she says it is an honour to get the recognition so early in her professional cricketing journey.

"To be honest I'm not really one for nominations but I've got such a great honour and I'm truly humbled to be nominated. It's probably more than anything a reflection of the hard work and support of my teammates and coaches rather than myself. I've gotta say I'm very grateful and motivated to continue growing and improving," Dercksen said.

Dercksen participated in her second ICC T20 World Cup in 2024 and helped the Proteas secure a silver medal in Dubai.

She’s grateful to have experienced two T20 World Cups back-to-back as an emerging star.

READ: Laura Wolvaardt welcomes ICC recognition for an outstanding season

"Yes, it genuinely feels like I'm living a dream. I still have the same excitement as when I was five years old and playing in the back yard but now I just have the wonderful opportunity to do it with and alongside all my childhood heroes,” she added.

“I think not many players probably have the opportunity to reach a World Cup final within their first two years of international cricket and it's been surreal.

“But I think all the nerve-wracking moments along the way, it's probably taken about five years of my life already but yeah being a part of this team is an incredible journey and I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow alongside such talented players and yeah just soak up some of the experience."