Shubman Gill and Grace Scrivens voted ICC Players for month of January

The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for January 2023, with England’s Grace Scrivens claiming the ICC Women’s Player of the Month and India’s Shubman Gill being crowned the ICC Men’s Player of the Month.

Scrivens becomes the youngest recipient of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after starring in the first-ever ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. A dominant figure with bat and ball throughout the tournament, her all-round performances saw her claim the Player of the Tournament prize. Equally, England’s captain excelled in her leadership role, guiding her side to the inaugural Final.

Shubman Gill enjoyed a record-breaking month in white ball cricket in January and is deservingly named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for January. The free-scoring batter was a prolific source of runs throughout the month, most notably in the ODI format, scoring big against both Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The talented youngsters were successful following a global vote conducted among media representatives, ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and fans registered at icc-cricket.com.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month,  January 2023 – Grace Scrivens

The ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup saw several superstars emerge onto the world stage, and Scrivens stood out during a month where she performed brilliantly as batter, bowler and as leader in England’s run to the Final.

Captaining her side in seven outings, the 19-year-old enjoyed plenty of success in the middle, scoring 293 runs at an average of 41.85 which included three successive half-centuries in victories over Rwanda, Ireland and the West Indies. As well as her notable batting exploits, Scrivens took nine valuable wickets throughout the tournament at a remarkable average of 7.11, including the final wicket as England sealed their passage to the Final in the thrilling semi-final victory over Australia by three runs.

The England starlet is the third winner from England in successive months, emulating Jos Buttler and Harry Brook who claimed the ICC Men’s Player of the Month awards in November and December respectively, and emerges victorious from fellow nominees Phoebe Litchfield and Beth Mooney of Australia, who both performed brilliantly in the shorter formats during January.

Reacting to the ICC Women’s Player of the Month prize, Scrivens commented: “I am so happy and amazed to have been voted the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. It was a brilliant tournament and one that we really enjoyed. Women’s cricket is in a really exciting place at the minute and it’s just great to be a part of it.”

Former England international and ICC Player of the Month voting panel member Lydia Greenway added, “Grace was instrumental in ensuring England had a successful campaign at the recent ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup. Although they missed out to India in the Final, Grace was a true leader throughout, whilst also picking up Player of the Tournament. She was a joy to watch at such a young age.”

ICC Men’s Player of the Month, January 2023 – Shubman Gill

India’s Shubman Gill wins his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award following another fine series of performances in ODI cricket. With 567 runs during January, which included three century-plus scores, the 23-year-old batter wowed fans with a lethal combination of graceful and attacking strokeplay.

In a month which presented several highlights for Gill, his stand-out performance came in the form of a stunning double-hundred in the nail-biting victory over New Zealand in the series opener in Hyderabad. His unbeaten 208 came in just 149 balls with 28 boundaries – a startling feat not just as it made him the youngest double-centurion in the ODI format, but because all those around him seemed to falter on a difficult pitch for batters.

Sandwiched between this innings were two further centuries – 116 in a dominant victory over Sri Lanka, and 112 in the final ODI against New Zealand.

Gill overcomes a competitive field to claim the award, beating New Zealand opener Devon Conway and compatriot Mohammed Siraj in the global vote. In doing so, he becomes the first Indian winner since Virat Kohli in October 2022.

Reflecting on his excellent month and the ICC Men’s Player of the Month prize, Gill commented, “I am thrilled to have been voted the ICC Men’s Player of the Month by the ICC panel and global cricket fans. January was a special month for me and winning this award makes it all the more memorable. I owe this success to my teammates and coaches who continue to support me as a player, and I’d like to congratulate my fellow nominees on their excellent performances also.

“It is always heartening to be recognised for your performances, and I will take great confidence from these innings, especially as we head into an extremely important period prior to an ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup on home soil.”

Former Zimbabwe international and voting panel member Pommie Mbangwa added: “The month gone by was seemingly a re-announcement of the talent of Shubman Gill. His languid elegance and beautiful style has been evident right from his under-19 days, and they continue.

“Gill’s double century against New Zealand puts him in an elite club and may signal the take-off of his career proper. He’s had a prolific month of cricket with bat in hand and it has been a sight to behold.”

Fans can continue to vote every month for their favourite male and female cricketers across all formats of international cricket as part of the ICC Player of the Month initiative by registering at www.icc-cricket.com/awards.