The International Cricket Council (ICC) today unveiled the shortlist of candidates contending for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for performances in March.
The ICC Player of the Month awards spotlight exceptional individual performers on the international cricket stage, and the shortlisted names for March represent various formats.
The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist includes a pivotal figure in Ireland’s inaugural men’s Test victory, a prolific front-line bowler from New Zealand, and a record-breaking Sri Lankan Test run-scorer.
Mark Adair earns his first nomination for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award after leading Ireland to a Test win over Afghanistan and contributing in shorter formats. New Zealand’s Matt Henry also had a successful month with the ball, consistently taking wickets in his team’s World Test Championship series against Australia.
The lineup is rounded off by Sri Lankan batsman Kamindu Mendis, nominated for his remarkable batting performances as Sri Lanka defeated Bangladesh in the longest format.
The women’s shortlist recognises achievements in both shorter formats, with nominees including an explosive young English batter, and iconic all-rounders from Australia and New Zealand.
England’s Maia Bouchier stormed to the top of the run-scoring charts in her team’s triumphant T20I series in New Zealand, earning her debut nomination.
Ashleigh Gardner, a four-time former winner of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award, is nominated once again following her standout performances in Australia’s ODI series victory against Bangladesh.
Despite being on the losing side in the England series, New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr put up a strong resistance as the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker for the White Ferns in March’s contests.