ICC Announces Winners for The Men’s and Women’s Player of The Month for September 2024

The cricketing world has witnessed some incredible performances in September 2024, and the ICC has recognized the best of the best with their Player of the Month awards. This month, both the Men’s and Women’s awards see familiar faces returning to the top spot.

Mendis Makes History, Secures Second Player of the Month Award

Sri Lanka’s young batting prodigy, Kamindu Mendis, has cemented his place as a rising star by winning the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for the second time this year! He edged out fellow Sri Lankan Prabath Jayasuriya and Australia’s Travis Head to claim the honor.

Mendis was on fire in September, amassing a whopping 451 runs across four Tests at an impressive average of 90.20. He played a key role in Sri Lanka’s victory against New Zealand at home, following a valiant effort in England.

This young talent didn’t just score runs; he rewrote history! Mendis became the first player ever to score a fifty in each of his first eight Test matches. He also achieved the remarkable feat of reaching 1,000 Test runs in just eight Tests, matching the legendary Don Bradman’s speed for reaching the milestone.

His most dominant performance came in the second Test against New Zealand, where he smashed a brilliant 182* in Sri Lanka’s massive first innings total. This knock was instrumental in setting up a convincing win for his team.

But Mendis’ brilliance wasn’t limited to just one innings. His 114 in the first innings of the first Test against New Zealand was equally crucial. Sri Lanka found themselves in a tricky situation at 88/3 when Mendis stepped up and steadied the ship. No other batsman on either side reached a century in that match, showcasing the importance of Mendis’ contribution to Sri Lanka’s narrow victory.

This award win is a testament to Mendis’ exceptional form and a continuation of the success Sri Lankan cricketers have enjoyed in the Player of the Month awards this year. Mendis is clearly hungry for more and is determined to lead Sri Lanka to even greater heights.

Beaumont Back with a Bang: Bags Second Women’s Player of the Month Award

England’s veteran opener, Tammy Beaumont, has proven that she’s still a force to be reckoned with in international cricket. She secured the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for September, defeating young Irish star Aimee Maguire and UAE’s Esha Oza.

Beaumont dominated England’s white-ball tour of Ireland in September. She amassed a staggering 279 runs across five matches, showcasing her prowess as one of England’s most dependable short-format batters. This performance also marked her second Player of the Month award, adding to the one she won in February 2021.

Beaumont’s September was all about consistency and powerful strokeplay. She averaged a phenomenal 106 in the ODI series, leading England to a 2-1 victory. Her highlight was a match-winning 150 in the second ODI, where she single-handedly steered England to victory.

While Beaumont had a quiet first ODI, she roared back in the second with a breathtaking display of batting. Her dominance continued with another half-century in the final ODI, followed by valuable contributions in the T20I series.

This win makes Beaumont the first Englishwoman to win the Women’s Player of the Month award since Maia Bouchier in March. Beaumont is a true leader and her experience proved invaluable for a young English team in Ireland.

Mendis and Beaumont’s victories were decided by a combination of votes from fans and a panel of cricket experts. Fans can continue to vote for their favorite players in the ICC Player of the Month awards by registering on the ICC website.

So, there you have it! Mendis and Beaumont have secured well-deserved Player of the Month awards for their outstanding performances in September. Both players are setting the stage for exciting things to come in the cricketing world!