1. Pat Cummins Clinches ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December
Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, has been awarded the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December. This honor comes after his amazing bowling display during Australia’s victorious Test series against Pakistan.
Dominating Test Series Against Pakistan
Cummins played a pivotal role in Australia’s success over Pakistan in December. His leadership and impressive bowling skills were key factors in Australia winning the World Test Championship mace and their sixth Men’s Cricket World Cup earlier in the year.
Outstanding Performance in Melbourne Test
The highlight of Cummins’ exceptional month was the second Test victory over Pakistan in Melbourne. Throughout the match, he took ten wickets, including a vital five-for-48 in the second innings. Mohammed Rizwan’s valuable wicket during this stint marked Cummins’ 250th wicket in Test cricket and helped Australia win spectacularly.
Looking Forward to ICC Awards 2023
Cummins is now a nominee for the top men’s award in the ICC Awards 2023, the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy, reflecting his stellar performances throughout the calendar year. He wants to add more personal honors to his collection following an incredible year across the board.
Cummins’ Reflection on the Achievement
Upon receiving the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December, Pat Cummins expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It’s been a great year for the group across all formats, and to cap it off with a strong performance against a challenging Pakistan side was a nice way to finish 2023.”
2. Deepti Sharma Secures ICC Women’s Player of the Month for December
Deepti Sharma, the Indian all-rounder, has clinched her first ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for December. Her outstanding batting and bowling efforts in all three forms have earned her this honor, as she helped India defeat Australia and England.
Stellar Performances Across Formats
Sharma showcased her skills in T20Is against England before truly shining in the first Test against England in Mumbai. She was named Player of the Match for her outstanding performance with the ball, taking nine wickets for 39 runs in the match, and her considerable contribution with the bat, hitting 67 runs in the first innings.
Crucial Contributions in Test Triumph
Continuing her impressive form, Sharma played a vital role in India’s Test victory against Australia, top-scoring with a crucial 78 runs in the middle order, helping secure an eight-wicket win.
Highlights in ODI Matches
Sharma carried her form into the ODI matches against Australia, including a notable five-for-38 performance in the second encounter. Despite falling short of victory, her outstanding contributions were a highlight of the series.
