Picture Credit: BCCI/Twitter
ICC has released the final list of nominees for February’s Player of the Month awards. While we have seen some intriguing action in men’s cricket (India vs England, Bangladesh vs West Indies), women’s cricket also marked its return in February through England’s tour of New Zealand.
Joe Root, Ravi Ashwin and Kyle Mayers - The Final 3
In the men’s category, England skipper Joe Root, Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin and West Indies sensation Kyle Mayers made the final cut.
Joe Root has undoubtedly been the best batsman in the ongoing India-England series. After playing a fantastic 218-run knock in Chennai, the England captain took a five-wicket haul in Ahmedabad. While India’s star all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin took 24 wickets last month, he also displayed his batting skills. The 34-year-old thrived on a difficult Chepauk wicket, where all the other batsmen struggled and went on to smash his fifth Test hundred.
Kyle Mayers also found a well-deserved spot in the final 3 after playing one of the best ever Test innings on his debut. The 28-year-old played an unbeaten 210-run knock to seal one of the greatest Test victories for West Indies against Bangladesh in Chattogram.
Exciting competition in women’s category for the award
In the women’s category, New Zealand’s Brooke Halliday will compete with the English duo of Tammy Beaumont and Nat Sciver for the award for the month of February.
England opener Tammy Beaumont was brilliant in the recent series win against New Zealand. She scored 231 runs in 3 matches, smashing three consecutive half-centuries. The 29-year-old was also adjudged as the ‘Player of the Series’ for her outstanding performances. Tammy’s teammate Nat Sciver was also at her absolute best in the recently concluded series. The all-rounder scored 96 runs and scalped 5 wickets and was instrumental in both departments for England. Although New Zealand lost the series, Kiwi cricketer Brooke Halliday was one major positive for them. The all-rounder hit two consecutive fifties and ended the series with 110 runs to her name. Halliday also took 2 wickets in the 3-match series.
The winners of the award (both men and women categories) will be announced on March 8 on ICC’s digital channels.