The winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for May 2024 have been announced by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as Gudakesh Motie of the West Indies and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka.
With a convincing series victory over touring South Africa, left-arm spinner Motie led the West Indies to a promising lead-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. Meanwhile, captain Athapaththu of Sri Lanka is celebrating winning her second ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after leading her team’s charge to qualifying for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh later this year.
After his outstanding performance in getting wickets during the West Indies T20I series victory, Motie, the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, takes home the trophy for the first time. The 29-year-old, who won the men’s title in January alongside colleague Shamar Joseph, becomes the second West Indies recipient of the trophy. Motie helped the islanders gain crucial momentum ahead of their T20 World Cup campaign in May by taking eight wickets at an average of 8.50 during the three-match series in Jamaica.
Also read: ICC reveals Player of the Month nominees for May
With his three for 25, which included the valuable wicket of the dangerous Rassie van der Dussen, Motie was instrumental in containing South Africa’s middle order attack while defending a total of 175 in the opening game. With a bigger score to defend in the second game, the Guyanese bowled a career-best three for 22 to frustrate a once-a promising South African run chase. In the last game, the left-arm spinner continued to flourish, skillfully manipulating his pace and taking advantage of the circumstances to post a two-for-21 stint that signalled a player of the series award to go along with the series rout.
Gudakesh Motie, the May recipient of the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, expressed his happiness and added, “It means a lot to me.” It gives me great encouragement because I have worked so hard this season and am glad to be reaping the benefits now.
“I had the best performance in the series against South Africa in the opening game, taking three for 25. I liked that third wicket the most that night.
Playing in the World Cup is a great honour for me, and it’s especially meaningful to play in front of our supporters at home and under familiar circumstances. With three games played and three victories under our belt, we have gotten off to a great start. I anticipate us winning the cup on June 29.
Sri Lanka’s skipper Chamari Athapaththu maintains her run of spectacular success by receiving the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for May – her second after previously winning in September 2023. Chamari has won a plethora of trophies recently, including the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2023.
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With their victory at the Abu Dhabi qualifier, the Sri Lankan squad clinched their spot in Bangladesh for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. The month was full of success for them. Top scorer at the tournament, Athapaththu finished May with 151 runs and six wickets, capping an even more impressive run of form that included a brilliant yet rapid 102 in 63 balls against fellow finalists Scotland to lead Sri Lanka to the Qualifier championship.
At this point, ongoing acknowledgement keeps me motivated: Athapaththu
“I am incredibly delighted and honoured to receive the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award once again,” Chamari Athapaththu, the May ICC Women’s Player of the Month, said. “I wish to mention that continuous recognition at this level keeps me motivated to further up my game and continue the good performance.”
“I wish to mention here that, both Kathryn [Bryce] and Sophie [Ecclestone] are also two exceptionally talented players with a proven record and wish them the very best, whilst I thank my teammates for their support given to me in this endeavour.”
A vote amongst worldwide supporters registered on icc-cricket.com and a team of experts made up of media representatives, former international players, and members of the ICC Hall of Fame determined the winners: Motie and Athapaththu.
While Athapaththu won the women’s title by defeating Kathryn Bryce of Scotland and Sophie Ecclestone of England, Motie won the men’s award over fellow ICC Men’s T20 World Cup opponents, Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan and Lorcan Tucker of Ireland.
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