The International Cricket Council (ICC), on Monday, announced the winners of the ‘Players of the Month Awards’ for August 2022. These awards recognize best performances from both male and female cricketers across all forms of international cricket.
Earlier this month, ICC had shared the list of nominees with England’s Test skipper Ben Stokes, Zimbabwe’s batting sensation Sikandar Raza and New Zealand’s star spinner Mitchell Santner in the male category.
Similarly, in the female group, the nominees were Australia’s opening batter Beth Mooney, her teammate Tahila McGrath, and India’s middle-order specialist Jemimah Rodrigues.
Amongst men, Raza has won the prestigious award and created history as he became the first Zimbabwe player to win such an award.
The 36-year-old veteran batter smashed three ODI centuries during the month to mark his tremendous form. He scored two consecutive tons against Bangladesh and one against India.
“I’m incredibly humbled and honoured to have won the player of the month award from the ICC – more humbling that I’m the first Zimbabwean to ever win such an award,” said Raza, as quoted by ICC.
“I would like to thank everybody who has been in the changeroom with me over the past three to four months – that goes out to the technical staff and to the players. Without you guys, this would not have been possible. Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the fans in Zimbabwe and overseas for all your prayers, for all your wishes…they were well received and I’m forever grateful,” he added.
When it comes to Women’s cricket, the Player of the Month award was bagged by Aussie all-rounder McGrath for her incredible form during the recent Commonwealth Games, where Australia won the Gold Medal.
McGrath finished the 20-over global tournament as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with eight scalps to her name. She also played some valuable knocks with the bat, including an unbeaten 78 from just 51 deliveries against Pakistan.
“I’m honoured to have been named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for August, given there are so many great players who are at the top of their game at the moment,” said McGrath..
“I’m loving being back in the Australian team and being part of some really special moments, including making history as the first women’s team to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal,” she added.
