ICC Names Kamindu Mendis and Tammy Beaumont as Players of the Month
Mendis Breaks Test Records, Beaumont Shines in England's Series Victory Over Ireland
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has named Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis as the Men’s Player of the Month for September 2024, while England’s Tammy Beaumont claimed the same award in the women’s category.
Mendis achieved this recognition after an extraordinary run in Test cricket during the month, while Beaumont excelled in England’s short-format matches against Ireland, securing the ICC Women’s Player of the Month title. Both players have now won this accolade twice, with Mendis previously receiving it in March 2024, and Beaumont earning it once before in February 2021.
Mendis outshone fellow nominees Travis Head from Australia and Sri Lankan teammate Prabath Jayasuriya. Beaumont, on the other hand, surpassed Ireland’s Aimee Maguire and UAE’s Esha Oza to clinch her award for September.
The ICC noted that Mendis’ win further emphasizes the successful period Sri Lankan cricketers are having in these awards, following victories by Dunith Wellalage and Harshitha Samarawickrama in August.
In a standout month for the 26-year-old, Mendis amassed 451 runs in four Tests, averaging 90.20. His performances included important contributions during the ICC World Test Championship series against England and New Zealand. Particularly notable were his scores of 74 and 64 against England and his commanding innings of 114 and 182 in Galle against New Zealand. These feats made Mendis the first player to pass fifty in each of his first eight Test matches and the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs.
Reacting to the honor, Mendis expressed his pride, saying: “It’s a huge honor to be recognized once again as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month. This award is a testament to all the hard work I’ve put in, and it motivates me to continue striving for even greater achievements to help my team and make my country proud.”
Meanwhile, Beaumont impressed with 279 runs in five matches against Ireland. Despite a slow start, she delivered a spectacular 150 from 139 balls in the second match, followed by another half-century in the final ODI and solid performances in the T20I series, where the teams shared the honors.
Beaumont, reflecting on her award, said, “I’m grateful to everyone who voted for me. It was a wonderful tour in Ireland with a young England team, and I’m glad I could contribute. Congratulations to Aimee Maguire and Esha Oza for their nominations as well.”
Both players were chosen by a voting process involving cricket fans registered on the ICC website, along with input from a panel of ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.
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