Scotland internationals Kyle Coetzer and Kathryn Bryce have been announced as the ICC’s Associate players of the decade. Both Scots were up against tough competition in their respective categories, that form part of a broader range of awards.
Kyle Coetzer – ICC Men’s Associate Player of the Decade
Over the last decade, Coetzer was a stalwart in the Scottish men’s team, featuring in the 50-over, T20 and Intercontinental Cup teams, participating in World Cups in 2014 and 2016
‘I’m completely overwhelmed by all the messages today and it’s something I will always cherish,’ Coetzer posted on Instagram. ‘Amazing to see so many Cricket Scotland nominees male and female and well done to Kathryn Bryce on winning the women’s award.
‘Thank you for all the support on my journey so far and I look forward to what is still to come.’
In 51 ODIs between 2011 and 2020, he scored 2277 runs at an average of 45.54 with a high score of 156 against Bangladesh during the 2015 edition of the ICC Cricket World Cup in New Zealand. The impressive knock was one of his four centuries during the decade, also notching up 16 half-centuries. Alongside his achievements with the bat, Coetzer even picked up an ODI wicket – he dismissed Dutch batsman Neil Kruger in 2011 during an ICC World Cricket League Championship match – and also collected 16 catches.
Coetzer’s impact was also seen on the T20I stage as he played 49 games for Scotland accumulating 1152 runs, scoring six half-centuries and finishing the decade with an impressive average of 25.04 at a strike rate of 126.45.
In eight ICC Intercontinental Cup matches in the decade he scored 336 runs with four half centuries.
Coetzer was awarded an MBE in the 2019 Queen’s Honours List for services to cricket.
Kathryn Bryce – ICC Women’s Associate Player of the Decade
At the age of 23, Bryce hopefully still has a long career ahead of her and has just signed a professional contract with Lightning Cricket along with her sister and fellow Scotland international Sarah Bryce. However, her impact on the international scene is already clear to see.
‘It is a real honour to win this award, thanks for all your support!’ Bryce tweeted. ‘A special mention goes out to every woman that played for Scotland before me that contributed to getting this team into a position to play in global tournaments.’
After debuting for her country at the age of 13 in 2011, Bryce has represented Scotland in 14 T20Is scoring 400 runs with a high score of 73* against the Netherlands during 2019 and an average of 50.00 at better than a run a ball. Along with her exploits with the bat in hand, Bryce has taken 15 wickets at an average of 9.60 and an economy rate of 3.23.
With the ICC acknowledging the performance of Associate players in the individual categories, it is hoped the trend of naming Full Member ‘teams of the decade’, can also happen for the Associates in the next round of awards.
The list of nominees for ICC Men’s Associate Cricketer of the Decade:
Richie Berrington (Scotland)
Peter Borren (Netherlands)
Kyle Coetzer (Scotland)
Paras Khadka (Nepal)
Calum MacLeod (Scotland)
Assad Vala (PNG)
The nominees for ICC Women’s Associate Cricketer of the Decade:
Sarah Bryce (Scotland)
Kathryn Bryce (Scotland)
Natthakan Chantham (Thailand)
Sterre Kalis (Netherlands)
Chanida Sutthiruang (Thailand)
Sornnorin Tippoch (Thailand)
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