Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi, Aug 4: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the nominees for its July edition of the ‘Player of the Month awards, which include England’s Jonny Bairstow, Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya, and record-breaking star Gustav McKeon from men’s cricket as well as England’s Nat Sciver and Emma Lamb, India’s Renuka Singh, and France’s Gustav McKeon from women’s cricket.
Jonny Bairstow, the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June, is nominated once more after outstanding at-bat performances for England, while Sri Lanka’s Test debutant and spin wizard Prabath Jayasuriya makes his first appearance on the shortlist. Gustav McKeon, a record-breaking adolescent sensation from France, completes the male lineup for July.
Nat Sciver had previously been shortlisted for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award, and her nomination comes as a result of her exceptional play in the ODI and T20I series against South Africa. The shortlist is completed with the addition of Renuka Singh, a dangerous Indian seamer who had a very productive month with both the bat and the ball. Emma Lamb of England is also named on the list.
The ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June, Bairstow carried on where he left off in July with dazzling performances across several formats. In July, Jayasuriya of Sri Lanka had an incredible start to his Test career, collecting an astounding 29 wickets in three games at an average of 20.37 against imposing opposition.
Jayasuriya, who was drafted into the team after a humiliating 10-wicket loss to Australia, shredded the visiting lineup in the second Test, taking six for 118 and six for 59 to seal a convincing innings triumph. He went on to have a very successful month, taking nine and eight wickets respectively in the next two Tests against Pakistan to solidify his claim to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July.
