Prabath Jayasuriya, Emma Lamb bag ICC Player of the Month honour for July

Sri Lankan spin sensation Prabath Jayasuriya has been rewarded with the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for his exceptional exploits with the ball in July. The spinner saw off competition from England’s in-from batter and June’s Player of the Month winner Jonny Bairstow and French sensation Gustav McKeon for the coveted prize.

Jayasuriya made his Test debut in Sri Lanka’s final Test match against Australia in Galle, earlier in July and made the Aussie batters dance to his tune as he scalped an unbelievable 12 wickets on his debut to guide Sri Lanka to a series-leveling triumph. The 30-year-old grabbed another 17 wickets in the recently concluded two-match series against Pakistan to earn the award.

“I am delighted with this announcement and wish to thank the fans for voting me as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month. Certainly it has been an incredible month for me, as I made the Test debut, and also got the opportunity to contribute for my team to level the Test series played against Australia and Pakistan,” Jayasuriya said in a statement to ICC.

Emma Lamb voted the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July

Meanwhile, England’s emerging all-rounder Emma Lamb grabbed the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July after an extraordinary series against South Africa. The youngster beat compatriot Nat Sciver and Indian fast bowling sensation Renuka Singh to the award.

Lamb had an outstanding series against South Africa scoring 234 runs in three matches including two half-centuries and a magnificent ton along with three wickets in the series. The 24-year-old expressed her surprise at beating the other nominees to the prize and hopes to continue performing for the team.

“It’s very exciting to have been awarded the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July. I’m very happy to have earned my spot at the top of the order in the Test and ODI team, and it’s been brilliant to be able to score some runs and help the team win. I just want to keep scoring runs for the team. I feel very lucky that my performances across the last month have been rewarded and I hope to carry on my good form,” Lamb stated.