Dubai: The International Cricket Council on Monday revealed the latest crop of international cricket stars celebrated in the shortlists for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards.
July saw dramatic conclusions to the men’s and women’s Ashes series in England, and the key performers from both series feature heavily in the list of names put forward for voting.
The shortlist for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award features three first-time nominees in the ICC Player of the Month awards – two stars of England’s spirited fightback in the memorable conclusion to the men’s Ashes series, and the key figure in the Netherlands’ successful qualifying campaign for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India, an ICC media release said.
England opener Zac Crawley topped the run-scoring charts for the home side, and inspired England’s fightback in the series from the top of the order with a string of notable batting displays.
Chris Woakes returned to the side staring down a two-nil series deficit and bowled brilliantly to take important wickets throughout the remainder of the series.
Completing the shortlist is the Netherlands’ Bas de Leede, who produced a performance for the ages in the winner-takes-all battle against Scotland at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, earning their first Cricket World Cup appearance since 2011 as a result of his heroics.
The ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist comprises three highly decorated individuals – a three-time winner of the award, the current holder of the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade crowned back in 2020.
Ashleigh Gardner is no stranger to the ICC Women’s Player of the Month awards, and the Australian aims to win back-to-back awards following another all-round masterclass during July.
Ellyse Perry celebrates her first nomination after scoring consistently across all formats throughout the month.
The final contender for July’s crown is England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, 2022’s ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year, whose excellent form continues to be rewarded after she recorded centuries in each of the last two ODIs to secure the Ashes series draw.
An independent ICC Voting Academy and fans around the world will now be invited to cast their votes to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered at icc-cricket.com/awards will be able to vote for their favourite performers until Saturday.
