LONDON: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday announced the March nominees for the ICC Player of the Month awards to recognise the best international performances across formats for male and female cricketers.
The nominees for the monthly men’s awards this time are, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam, Australia’s Pat Cummins and Kraigg Brathwaite from West Indies while England’s Sophie Ecclestone, Australia’s Rachael Haynes and Laura Wolvaardt from South Africa feature in the women’s shortlist.
ICC Men’s Player of the Month nominees
Babar Azam, Pakistan
The Pakistan skipper impressed with his brilliant knocks during Australia’s historic tour of Pakistan. In the recently concluded Bernaud-Qadir Trophy, Babar finished as the third-highest run-scorer after Usman Khawaja and Abdullah Shafique.
In his five outings, he scored 390 runs at an average of 78, including two half-centuries and a century. The highlight of the series was his match-saving 196 in the second innings of the second Test in Karachi.
Babar continued his outstanding form in the ODI series, playing vital knocks in the first two games. In the first ODI, he notched up a score of 57 in Pakistan’s 88-run loss before scoring a brilliant 118 to lead Pakistan to a six-wicket win in the second contest.
Kraigg Brathwaite, West Indies
Skipper Kraigg Brathwaite was instrumental in West Indies’ recent Test series victory against England at home. With 341 runs in six innings at an average of 85.25, Brathwaite was the series’ leading run-scorer.
He smashed two half-centuries in his six innings and a magnificent 160-run knock in the second Test in Barbados. Braithwaite was named Player of the Series for being the outstanding performer with the bat.
Pat Cummins, Australia
Pat Cummins, Australia’s Test skipper was a sensation in Australia’s recent Test series victory against Pakistan. Cummins led his team from the front and was instrumental in their victory, taking a total of 12 wickets to lead the Bernaud-Qadir Trophy wicket-takers list.
Cummins was named Player of the Match for his bowling figures of 5/56 and 3/23 in the final Test, as he helped Australia win the contest in Lahore, as well as the three-match series.
ICC Women’s Player of the Month nominees
Sophie Ecclestone, England
Sophie Ecclestone, England’s left-arm spinner, produced some brilliant bowling performances in the recently finished ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup to become the tournament’s leading wicket-taker.
She finished the tournament with 21 wickets in nine matches, including a career-best 6/36 in the semi-final against South Africa.
Her outstanding bowling throughout the tournament helped England reach another World Cup final, where they were defeated by Australia.
Rachael Haynes, Australia
Australia had plenty of heroes in their side who helped them clinch their seventh World Cup title. But Rachael Haynes’ contribution at the top of the order was one of the biggest positives for Australia throughout the tournament.
Haynes scored 497 runs in nine Women’s World Cup matches, averaging 62.12, to finish as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter.
Her three half-centuries and a brilliant century in their opening match of the tournament against England, helped Australia get solid opening starts throughout, ultimately helping Australia lift the trophy for the seventh time.
Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa
South African opener Laura Wolvaardt batted with consistency in the recently concluded ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. She led South Africa’s batting order and made some fine contributions at the top.
With five half-centuries in 8 matches, Wolvaardt scored 433 runs at an average of 54.12, becoming the fourth-highest run-getter of the tournament. Her best score of 79-ball 80 came in South Africa’s final group stage encounter against India.
