ICC announces Player of the Month nominees for June 2023

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the star-studded list of players that have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for June 2023.

An action-packed month of international competition saw the gripping conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship at The Oval, the scintillating drama of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, and numerous high-profile fixtures in the women’s calendar. 

Spanning the ODI and Test formats, the men’s shortlist comprises the outstanding performers from the past month. Wanindu Hasaranga propelled Sri Lanka through the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe with an inspiring run of wicket-taking spells. Travis Head emerged as the star as Australia clinched ICC World Test Championship Final victory and carried this form into the England-Australia series in England. Sean Williams of Zimbabwe completes the lineup after a prolific month at the crease in the shorter format, with notable centuries as his side reached the Super Six stage.

The players in contention for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award include two Ashes superstars and a West Indian all-round sensation. England batter Tammy Beaumont smashed a record-breaking double-century which kept England in contention during the only Test match in Nottingham. Two-time Player of the Month winner Ashleigh Gardner is nominated once more for thwarting Beaumont’s charge – her bowling heroics sealing a momentous victory for Australia. The final contender for the award is the West Indies’ Hayley Matthews, whose century and wicket-taking exploits against Ireland in June earn her a spot on the shortlist.

An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world will now be invited to cast their votes to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered at icc-cricket.com/awards will be able to vote for their favourite performers until Saturday.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for June:

Wanindu Hasaranga (SL)

With no fewer than 26 wickets during the month at an average of just 10.00, Hasaranga enjoyed a prolific spell in June, once more highlighting the threat he poses to opposition batters at all levels. He found particular success during the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, becoming the first spinner to take three consecutive five-wicket hauls in ODI cricket, following impressive displays against the UAE (six for 24 runs), Oman (five for 13) and Ireland (five for 79).

Travis Head (AUS)

Head sits in fourth position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings, and he demonstrated his growing influence in the Australian batting attack on the biggest Test stage – the ICC World Test Championship Final. He was named Player of the Match following his crucial and brilliant 163 in the first innings which set Australia up for a commanding victory in the Ultimate Test victory over India. He continued his momentum into the first Ashes Test, recording another half-century in Birmingham as the tourists claimed another valuable triumph.

Sean Williams (ZIM)

Williams lit up the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier for the host nation with a supreme display of scoring throughout June. Five hundred and thirty-two (532) runs at an average of 133 in his five ODIs, included three centuries against Nepal, USA and Oman, and came at a staggering strike rate of 148.60. With 91 more runs scored in their win over the Netherlands, Williams remained a key figure for the hosts all the way through to the Super Six stage. With this nomination, Williams aims to become the first Men’s Player of the Month from Zimbabwe since Sikandar Raza was honoured in August 2022.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for June: 

Tammy Beaumont (ENG)

Beaumont’s record-breaking innings of 208 in the sole Ashes Test in Nottingham was the shining light for England as they fell to defeat at the hands of an Ashleigh Gardner-inspired Australia. Her mammoth score came from 331 balls and kept the home side in contention throughout. The feat meant she became the first English woman to register a Test double hundred. Beaumont aims to win her first ICC Player of the Month crown since February 2021.

Ashleigh Gardner (AUS)

Having won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award in December and February, Gardner once again finds herself among the candidates for the prize. While previously having won for her white-ball prowess, this time she excelled in the longest format, clinching a valuable victory over England with a ruthless spell of bowling across both innings. Four wickets for 99 in the first innings included the prized scalp of Beaumont as well as other danger players, before she blitzed the hosts in the second innings with match-winning figures of eight for 66.

Hayley Matthews (WI)

The West Indies all-rounder was at the heart of the action in the rain-affected series against Ireland at Gros Islet. A previous winner of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month in November 2021, Matthews produced a glittering all-round display in the first ODI, scoring a fine century (109 in 106 balls) before stifling the opposition response with impressive bowling figures of three for 53 to secure a commanding victory.

The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process: 

The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity, including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on ICC’s digital channels. 

Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month June 2023: 

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.