Athapaththu nominated for ICC Player of Month award

The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday unveiled the latest lists of contenders hoping to claim the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards following April’s international contests. Three elite performers comprise the shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month.

Sri Lanka’s influential skipper Chamari Athapaththu is nominated for her outstanding run scoring feats last month, taking in stellar performances across ODIs and T20Is in South Africa and the UAE. Hayley Matthews joins her among the contenders after her eye-catching all-round performances during the West Indies’ strong showing in Pakistan. The lineup is completed by South Africa’s talented batter Laura Wolvaardt, who also inspired her side with the bat in April’s contests.

Last year’s ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year Chamari Athapaththu continued her dominance in the 50-over format, reclaiming the top spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting rankings after a stellar showing in April. Records tumbled for the Sri Lanka skipper, thanks to a sparkling unbeaten 195 in Potchefstroom against South Africa as the tourists won in a record run chase. 258 ODI runs was complemented by 148 runs in T20Is, which included two half-centuries in South Africa, plus another against Scotland in the ongoing Women’s T20WC Qualifier in Abu Dhabi, where Sri Lanka eventually sealed their qualification thanks to their semi-final success against UAE on Sunday.

The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist contains more influential figures who dominated in T20Is last month.

Pakistan’s revered pace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is among the contenders after his wicket-taking endeavours earned Pakistan a series draw with a touring New Zealand side. Captain Gerhard Erasmus was a pivotal figure for Namibia as they recorded a notable series victory in Oman. The final nominee is the UAE’s captain and opening batter Muhammad Waseem, who impressed in his side’s run to ACC Premier Cup success.