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ICC reveals Player of the Month nominees for July

Published

2 years ago

2024/08/5

Priyan

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today named the shortlists for the ICC Player of the Month awards for July, celebrating the standout performers from an action-packed month of international cricket.

The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist features three outstanding bowlers who grabbed the headlines across all three formats of international cricket last month.

England’s Gus Atkinson entered the Test arena in July and made an immediate impact with a stunning display of destructive pace bowling in their dominant World Test Championship series victory over West Indies. Charlie Cassell of Scotland also made his first steps, this time in the ODI format, blitzing the Oman batting lineup with an inspired spell in Dundee. The lineup is completed by India’s Washington Sundar, who bowled superbly on their short-format tours of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka.

The ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist contains a decorated trio of international icons who provided plenty of highlights during July’s contests.

Chamari Athapaththu continues her rich vein of form for Sri Lanka and celebrates another nomination thanks to her dramatic Women’s Asia Cup-winning exploits with the bat on home soil. India’s Smriti Mandhana aims to make it back-to-back Women’s Player of the Month awards after ending their Test series against South Africa with more run-scoring success and notable performances in their Women’s Asia Cup campaign, while compatriot Shafali Verma joins her as the final candidate for July’s award, after a record-breaking month at the top of the batting order.

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 are now able to vote for their favourite performers at icc-cricket.com/awards.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for July:

Gus Atkinson (England)

26-year-old Atkinson made his introduction to the Test match arena at Lord’s in July as the legendary James Anderson was bowing out, and the pacer wasted no time in underlining his credentials as a potential successor, with supreme spells of fast bowling that saw the home side claim a dominant ICC World Test Championship series sweep over the West Indies. 22 Wickets fell to Atkinsons sharp, accurate bowling at an average of 16.22 during the month, 12 of which falling in that first Test, including seven for 45 in the first innings – the second-best haul by an England bowler on Test debut.

Charlie Cassell (Scotland)

Another impressive debut spell came courtesy of 25-year-old Cassell, who inspired Scotland to a thumping ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 win over Oman in Dundee. The fast bowler produced a record-breaking spell of seven for 21 in his 5.4 overs – the best figures for any bowler on ODI debut, beating the record previously held by South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada. Cassell started in blistering fashion, taking three wickets in his first four balls as Oman were skittled for 91, with the home side eventually securing a comfortable, valuable win by eight wickets.

Washington Sundar (India)

In the aftermath of their triumph at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, India headed to Zimbabwe, and among the stars of their successful tour was spinner Washington. With eight wickets over the course of their five-match contest, he claimed the Player of the Series accolade following their 4-1 win, highlighted by a superb three for 15 in the third match. The next stop was Sri Lanka, where he bowled supremely in the third T20I, including a memorable Super Over performance which restricted the hosts to just two runs in a Player of the Match display.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for July:

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)

With a number of individual accolades under her belt in recent times, the Sri Lanka captain enjoyed another career-defining moment in July, inspiring her side to a memorable triumph in the Women’s Asia Cup on home soil. Athapaththu hit 304 runs during the competition at an average of 101.33 and a strike rate of 146.85, which included a statement, unbeaten 119 against Malaysia and two crucial half-centuries in the latter stages; the first in their tense semi-final victory over Pakistan, and the second as they stunned India to claim their maiden Women’s Asia Cup title, successfully chasing a competitive 166 for victory in Dambulla.

Smriti Mandhana (India)

Mandhana is aiming to make it back-to-back success after winning the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award in June. Her success continued into July, where she hit another superb 149 in the final Test against South Africa in Chennai, enjoying a 292-run opening stand with Shafali Verma as India eased to a ten-wicket win. Scores of 47 and 54 not out came in the subsequent T20I series against the same opposition before the opener contributed strongly in the Women’s Asia Cup, including half-centuries in the semi-final victory over Bangladesh (55 not out) and the final against Sri Lanka (60).

Shafali Verma (India)

Shafali is nominated for the first time since June 2021 and stands in contention after breaking more records in July. The 20-year-old registered the fastest double-century in women’s Test matches in India’s final Test victory over South Africa, showcasing her trademark attacking style to blast 205 in 197 balls. In addition to this, Shafali then starred in the T20I format, top-scoring for India in their Women’s Asia Cup campaign where she produced more fireworks, including in innings against Pakistan (40 in 29 balls), UAE (37 in 18 balls) and Nepal (81 in 48 balls).

The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process:

The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on ICC’s digital channels.

Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month:

Afghanistan: Javed Hamim; Australia: Daniel Cherny and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Mazhar Uddin and Md Ariful Islam Roney; England: Chris Stocks and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: S Gomesh and Shivani Gupta; New Zealand: Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sawera Pasha and Sana Mir; South Africa: Zaahier Adams and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Azzam Ameen and Farveez Maharoof; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Lawrence Trusida and Grant Flower; Others: Darren Allan Kyeyune and Kyle Coetzer.

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Tickner five-for wraps up innings win for New Zealand

Published

12 mins ago

2026/05/29

Priyan

Blair Tickner finished with 5 for 76 in Ireland's second innings [Cricinfo]

Half-centuries from Stephen Doheny and Lorcan Tucker and a cameo from Mark Adair delayed the inevitable for Ireland before they slid to defeat by an innings and 79 runs against New Zealand. They had begun the third day on 65 for 2, following on with two more days to play and trailing by 246 runs.

They were bowled out for 232 in their second innings, with Blair Tickner hastening New Zealand’s march to victory with his maiden five-wicket haul in Test cricket.

Temperatures finally dropped below 20 degrees Celsius in Belfast – signalling respite from a heat wave in the region – and rain brought an early end to the first session. By then, Ireland had been reduced to 131 for 5.

Nathan Smith – who had taken a six-for in the first innings – plucked out nightwatcher Thomas Mayes within the first five overs of play. A full inswinger had Mayes edging to second slip. At the other end, opener Doheny, who resumed on 26, was nimble-footed in response to early swing.

Despite the overhead clouds, Smith from one end and Tickner from the other bowled with a short-ball plan in mind. The strategy paid dividends when Tickner picked up his third wicket of the innings, in the 26th over: he angled a bouncer into Harry Tector’s shoulders, and he ducked into the ball, which pinged off his bat handle to second slip.

More concerning for Ireland was Curtis Campher retiring hurt on 4, another consequence of a bouncer. He had been struggling against the short deliveries when one reared up and pinged his left hand. He had to walk off for scans, and Ireland played with one batter down thereafter.

Doheny was the third consecutive batter to walk off after facing a snorter; he fended at a Tickner short delivery, and gloved it to gully shortly before the end of the first session.

When New Zealand walked out for the second session, the clouds had partially cleared, and the Dukes ball’s swing had dissipated. New Zealand shuffled their fielders out to pack the off side, and Lorcan Tucker took full toll of deliveries outside off.

Tucker pinged drives away from his body, and evaded the short balls that came his way, bringing up his fifty off 69 deliveries. However, any hopes of an Ireland rearguard disappeared when he fell off his next ball. He swung across the line at another bouncer and miscued it over the keeper’s head, straight to Daryl Mitchell running in from the slips.

Adair, slotting in at No. 9, played with panache thereafter. He had his own solution to Tickner and Zak Foulkes directing bouncers at his grille: he kept shuffling into the leg side to make room for cross-batted swats, over the relatively vacant midwicket boundary.

Eventually, this run-scoring option slowed when the bowlers either angled their bouncers into the leg side, or aimed yorkers at his feet. He still raced away to an unbeaten 44 off 47 – Ireland’s quickest knock in this Test by far.

The game came to a belated end when Reuben Wilson was the last batter out, stuck in his crease as he wafted at a delivery outside off, and edged it to the keeper. Tickner completed his five-for with this wicket, and New Zealand seald a dominant win with four sessions to spare.

They now head to London, where they will prepare to face England in a three-Test contest. Ireland, meanwhile, wait for India to arrive on their shores at the end of June for a T20I series.

Brief scores:
New Zealand 490 for 8 dec in 119 overs (Rachin Ravindra 121, Tom Blundell 186, Dean Foxcroft 98; Mark Adair 3-66) beat Ireland 179 in 45 overs (Andy McBrine 73*, Mark Adair 40; Nathan Smith 6-40, Ben Sears 2-27) and (f/o) 232 in 63.2 overs (Stephen Doheny 57, Lorcan Tucker 50, Mark Adair 44*; Nathan Smith 2-53, Blair Tickner 5-76) by an innings and 79 runs

[Cricinfo]

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Ambidextrous spinner Shashini Gimhani in Sri Lanka’s T20 World Cup squad

Published

44 mins ago

2026/05/29

Priyan

Chamari Athapaththu is set to play her tenth T20 World Cup (Cricinfo)

Batter V8shmi Gunaratne, wristspinner Shashini Gimhani and seamer Kavya Kavindi have been picked in Sri Lanka’s squad of 15 for the Women’s T20 World Cup in England starting on June 12.

Chamari Athapaththu was named captain of the team and will be representing Sri Lanka in her tenth T20 World Cup.

Rashmika Sewwandi, Dewmi Vihanga, Inoka Ranaweera were left out of the squad that played the series against Bangladesh earlier this month.

Gimhani, 17, is an ambidextrous wristspinner who has played seven T20 internationals, having made her debut as Sri Lanka’s youngest international at the age of 15.

The squad will depart for England on June 3.

Sri Lanka are in Group 2 along with England, New Zealand, West Indies, Ireland and Scotland. They play the opening game of the tournament against England at Edgbaston on June 12, followed by fixtures against New Zealand in Southampton (June 16), West Indies in Bristol (June 21), Ireland also in Bristol (June 23), and Scotland in Manchester (June 26).

The top two teams from Groups 1 and 2 qualify for the semi-finals at The Oval on June 30 and July 2. The final is on July 5 at Lord’s.

Sri Lanka squad for Women’s T20 World Cup

Chamari Athapaththu (capt), Hasini Perera, Vishmi Gunaratne, Harshitha Samarawickrama, Imesha Dulani, Nilakshika Silva, Kavisha Dilhari, Hansima Karunarathne, Kaushini Nuthyangana, Sugandika Dassanayaka, Nimasha Madushani, Shashini Gimhani, Kawya Kavindi, Malki Madara, Mithali Ayodhya

(Cricinfo)

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Messi to represent Argentina at sixth World Cup

Published

8 hours ago

2026/05/29

Priyan

Lionel Messi has scored 116 goals in 198 games for Argentina [BBC]

Lionel Messi will play in a sixth World Cup as he captains holders Argentina at the 2026 tournament.

The forward, who will turn 39 during the tournament, was named in Lionel Scaloni’s 26-man squad on Thursday after leading his country to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar four years ago with a penalty shootout victory over France.

With 26 appearances, Messi holds the current record for the most World Cup matches by any player – and will join Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, as the only male players to appear in a sixth edition of football’s biggest event this summer.

Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez, who was named the goalkeeper of the tournament in 2022, has been selected, as have Manchester United’s Lisandro Martinez and Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, who missed the end of the Premier League season with a knee injury.

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister and Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez are also among the five British-based players in the squad for the finals, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez and Inter’s Lautaro Martinez are among 17 players who lifted the trophy in 2022 returning to bid to retain it.

Argentina are in Group J and begin their campaign in Kansas City against Algeria (Wednesday, 17 June, 02:00 BST), before they play two games in Dallas, against Austria (Monday, 22 June, 18:00 BST) and Jordan (Sunday, 28 June, 02:00 BST).

Messi had been substituted during Inter Miami’s latest Major League Soccer match on Monday, but his club said he had not sustained an injury and was suffering from “muscle fatigue” in his left hamstring.

He has made 198 appearances for Argentina and will reach the 200-mark if he plays in both of his country’s friendly matches – against Honduras in Texas (Sunday, 7 June, 01:00 BST) and then against Iceland in Alabama (Tuesday, 9 June).

Notable absentees include in-form Aston Villa attacker Emi Buendia, whose Europa League final stunner was named goal of the tournament, forward Paolo Dybala, whose season at Roma has been disrupted by injury, and 18-year-old Real Madrid winger Franco Mastantuono.

With one cap, Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni also misses out, after Fifa said he would sit out the first two games of the tournament for abusing Vinicius Jr.

Argentina World Cup squad

Goalkeepers: Juan Musso (Atletico Madrid), Geronimo Rulli (Marseille), Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa).

Defenders: Leonardo Balerdi (Marseille), Nicolas Tagliafico (Lyon), Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United), Cristian Romero (Tottenham), Nicolas Otamendi (Benfica), Facundo Medina (Marseille), Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid).

Midfielders: Leandro Paredes (River Plate), Rodrigo de Paul (Inter Miami), Valentin Barco (Strasbourg), Giovani lo Celso (Real Betis), Ezequiel Palacios (Bayer Leverkusen), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea).

Forwards: Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Nicolas Gonzalez (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Almada (Atletico Madrid), Giuliano Simeone (Atletico Madrid), Nico Paz (Como), Jose Manuel Lopez (Palmeiras), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan).

[BBC]