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January 8, 2024
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently unveiled the highly anticipated shortlists for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for December 2023. The selection features standout performers from key ICC World Test Championship clashes during the last month of the year.
The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist comprises three exceptional cricketers who contributed significantly to their respective teams. The nominees include Australian skipper Pat Cummins, who had a stellar year in 2023, Bangladesh’s talented Taijul Islam, and New Zealand’s dynamic Glenn Phillips. These players have been recognized for outstanding performances, demonstrating their skill, determination, and leadership.
Pat Cummins’s remarkable year as Australia’s captain culminates in his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month nomination. His commanding bowling against Pakistan sealed the series victory and secured his well-deserved spot on the December shortlist. Joining Cummins are two first-time nominees: Taijul Islam of Bangladesh, recognized for his exceptional bowling displays against New Zealand, and Glenn Phillips of New Zealand, who showcased heroic efforts.
The ICC Women’s Player of the Month shortlist for December showcased exceptional talent from across the globe. Two of India’s standout performers, Deepti Sharma and Jemimah Rodrigues, were recognized for their remarkable contributions in multiple formats throughout the month. The list also featured Zimbabwean veteran Precious Marange, whose seasoned experience proved invaluable for her team. Her stellar all-round performances make her a worthy recipient of the coveted award. The December shortlist reflects the depth of talent and exceptional individual efforts in cricket.
Precious Marange’s exceptional bowling was pivotal in Zimbabwe’s landmark victory at the Africa Qualifier, capped off by a spectacular hat-trick in the final match. Her standout performances have rightly earned her a spot on the prestigious shortlist. Joining Marange are two outstanding Indian batters, Jemimah Rodrigues and eventual winner Deepti Sharma.
Rodrigues led India’s batting charge with valuable contributions in Tests and ODIs against England and Australia. At the same time, Sharma was impressed with her all-around brilliance, which significantly impacted both bat and ball.
The global cricket community will now join an independent ICC Voting Academy in deciding the winners of these esteemed awards. Registered fans can vote for their favorite performers at icc-cricket.com/awards until Saturday. This unique opportunity allows fans worldwide to celebrate and acknowledge the exceptional talents that have graced the game in recent months. The highly anticipated announcement of the winners will take place next week.
Australian captain Pat Cummins has experienced a remarkable 2023, positioning himself as a strong contender for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy in the ICC Awards 2023. His exceptional performances across all formats throughout the year were punctuated by a memorable December, during which he played a pivotal role in Australia’s triumphant Test series against.
Cummins delivered a standout display as Australia’s leading bowler, securing ten wickets in the second Test in Melbourne, including five for 48 in the decisive second innings. His series of 13 wickets, which featured his 250th Test wicket, propelled Australia to victory in a tense finish. As a result of his commanding performance, Cummins is now in the running to claim his first-ever Player of the Month title, providing a fitting conclusion to an already illustrious year.
Bangladesh’s talented left-arm spinner Taijul Islam has been deservedly nominated for the prestigious Player of the Month award following a pivotal performance during the first Test against New Zealand in Sylhet. Taijul’s exceptional spell proved instrumental in securing Bangladesh’s historic maiden Test victory against the Kiwis on home soil in December 2023, garnering well-earned recognition from the cricketing world. Islam’s impressive performance, which included four wickets in the first innings and a memorable six for 75 in the second, contributed to Bangladesh’s 150-run victory.
Despite the team’s loss in the second Test, Taijul continued to shine, claiming another five wickets and ultimately earning the esteemed Player of the Series accolade. His consistent and impactful bowling efforts throughout the series have earned him a spot among the top contenders for this prestigious monthly recognition.
As Taijul Islam shone for Bangladesh, Glenn Phillips proved to be the standout performer for New Zealand in their battle to secure a 1-1 series draw. Before his heroics in the second Test, Phillips contributed valuable runs and claimed five wickets, albeit in a losing cause.
In a challenging batting environment, Phillips stood out with a crucial 87-run contribution to New Zealand’s total of 180. He followed up this performance with a match-winning 40 as the Blackcaps rallied from a precarious 69 for six to successfully chase the target of 137. Phillips’ stellar display was pivotal in securing New Zealand’s hard-fought victory.
Zimbabwean veteran bowler Precious Marange experienced a career-defining December, securing her team’s progression through the Women’s T20 World Cup Africa Qualifier. Marange claimed two wickets in the opening match against Kenya, but her standout performances were yet to come.
She earned Player of the Match honors in successive matches, taking three wickets for 13 runs against Tanzania and three for nine against Namibia. Her crowning achievement came in the final against Uganda, where she captured a historic hat-trick in the 19th over, limiting Uganda to 79 runs and clinching a well-deserved nomination for the prestigious award.
Indian batter Jemimah Rodrigues showcased her exceptional versatility in December, delivering impressive performances across multiple game formats. Building on a modest start to the month in T20Is, Rodrigues excelled in Test matches against England and Australia.
Her classy knocks of 70-plus in the first innings of both Test victories were instrumental in securing India’s success. Rodrigues continued her stellar form in the subsequent ODI matches against Australia, scoring 82 and 44 in the first two games. Her outstanding performances in December resulted in an average of over 60 in Tests and ODIs, highlighting her immense talent and consistency.
Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma played a pivotal role in her team’s Test and ODI matches during December. Her standout performance in the Test victory over England showcased her all-round abilities, as she scored 67 and 20 with the bat and claimed nine opposition wickets with her effective spin bowling.
Sharma continued her impressive form in the subsequent Test against Australia, where she top-scored for India. She demonstrated effectiveness in the following ODI encounters, claiming a remarkable five for 38 in the second match despite India narrowly missing out on victory. Sharma’s well-rounded skills and consistent contributions make her a valuable asset to the Indian team.
The ICC Player of the Month nomination process involves a meticulous selection of three exceptional performers in each category, based on their outstanding performances throughout the calendar month, from the first to the last day. The shortlisted nominees are then voted on by a combination of the independent ICC Voting Academy and cricket fans worldwide.
The esteemed ICC Voting Academy consists of prominent members of the cricket fraternity, including respected journalists, former players, broadcasters, and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy holds 90% of the vote and submits its decisions via email.
Registered fans can vote on the official ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10% of the votes. This inclusive approach ensures the Voting Academy’s expert opinions and cricket fans’ passionate voices are heard.
The ICC Player of the Month winners are announced every second Monday of the month through the ICC’s digital channels. This provides global recognition and celebrates the remarkable achievements of players in international cricket.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has assembled a distinguished Voting Academy for the Player of the Month award, drawing from various cricketing backgrounds and expertise. These individuals represent different countries and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the voting process:
Afghanistan: Hameed Qayoomi and Javed Hamim
Australia: Scott Bailey and Lisa Sthalekar
Bangladesh: Mohammad Sekander Ali and Md Ariful Islam Roney
England: Elizabeth Ammon and Lydia Greenway
Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington
India: S Gomesh and Irfan Pathan
New Zealand: Merryn Anderson and 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: Daniel Nhakaniso and Grant Flower
Others: Ajit Vijaykumar and Dirk Nannes
These esteemed members of the ICC Voting Academy will play a crucial role in determining the winners of the Player of the Month award, bringing their unique perspectives and insights to the selection process. Their votes, combined with those of cricket fans worldwide, will help recognize and celebrate the outstanding performances of cricket stars in December 2023.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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