The International Cricket Council announced the Player of the Month nominees for both men’s and women’s categories for the month of August. However, none of the Indians made a cut to the Player of the Month nomination in both the categories. In ICC Men’s Player of the Month nominations, South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj, West Indies’ Jayden Seales and Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage were named as nominees. In the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nomination, Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama, and Ireland’s Gaby Lewis and Orla Predergast were nominated.
Sri Lanka’s all-rounder Dunith Wellalage delivered a standout performance against India last month, cementing his reputation as a rising star. In the ODI series, Wellalage’s contributions were crucial. He scored 108 runs and took seven wickets, making his mark early by picking up key Indian wickets like Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. His career-best 5/27 in the third ODI was the highlight, dismantling India’s batting order and earning praise for his match-winning skills.
ICC Player of the Month nominees
Keshav Maharaj, South Africa’s seasoned left-arm spinner, was in superb form in the two-Test series against West Indies. Maharaj claimed 13 wickets at an impressive average of 16.07. His best effort came in the first Test with 8/164, and in the second match, his crucial 5/45, including three wickets in the second innings, ensured a South African victory. This performance also saw him surpass Hugh Tayfield as the most successful South African spinner in Test cricket history.
West Indies’ fast bowler Jayden Seales also made headlines during the same series. Seales led the West Indian bowling attack with 12 wickets at an average of 18.08, despite missing key pacers Alzarri Joseph and Kemar Roach. His remarkable figures of 6/61 in the second Test gave West Indies a fighting chance, though they eventually lost. Seales’ efforts were instrumental in keeping the matches competitive.
Women’s category nominees
Harshitha Samarawickrama continued to shine for Sri Lanka in August, dominating both the ODI and T20I series against Ireland. Her unbeaten 86* and 65 in the T20Is made her the leading run-scorer. She then excelled in the ODIs, scoring 105 and 48*, solidifying her as a key player for Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, Ireland’s Orla Prendergast showcased her all-round skills with 122* and valuable wickets, earning Player of the Match honours. Gaby Lewis delivered a match-winning performance in the second T20I, scoring a sensational 119 off 75 balls, marking the highest individual score for Ireland in T20I cricket.
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