Hasaranga nominated for ICC Player of the Month award

The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday announced the star-studded list of players that have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for June.

An action-packed month of international competition saw the gripping conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship at The Oval, the scintillating drama of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, and numerous high-profile fixtures in the women’s calendar.

Spanning the ODI and Test formats, the men’s shortlist comprises the outstanding performers from the past month. Wanindu Hasaranga propelled Sri Lanka through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe with an inspiring run of wicket-taking spells. 

With no fewer than 26 wickets during the month at an average of just 10.00, Hasaranga enjoyed a prolific spell in June, once more highlighting the threat he poses to opposition batters at all levels. He found particular success during the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, becoming the first spinner to take three consecutive five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket, following impressive displays against the UAE (six for 24 runs), Oman (five for 13) and Ireland (five for 79).

Travis Head emerged as the star as Australia clinched ICC World Test Championship Final victory and carried this form into the England-Australia series in England. Sean Williams of Zimbabwe completes the line-up after a prolific month at the crease in the shorter format, with notable centuries as his side reached the Super Six stage.

The players in contention for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award include two Ashes superstars and a West Indian all-round sensation. England batter Tammy Beaumont smashed a record-breaking double-century which kept England in contention during the only Test match in Nottingham. Two-time Player of the Month winner Ashleigh Gardner is nominated once more for thwarting Beaumont’s charge – her bowling heroics sealing a momentous victory for Australia. The final contender for the award is the West Indies’ Hayley Matthews, whose century and wicket-taking exploits against Ireland in June earn her a spot on the shortlist.