Jasprit Bumrah earns consecutive ICC Player of the Month nominations

The world’s number-one ranked Test bowler finished the year on a high note, showcasing his brilliance with 22 wickets in just three Test matches in December. Bumrah was instrumental in Australia's series, consistently thwarting their efforts with impressive performances such as his four for 61 in Adelaide, six for 76 in Brisbane, and a remarkable nine-wicket haul in Melbourne. This outstanding display earned him the highest rating points tally ever achieved by an Indian bowler. Bumrah now has his sights set on winning his second Player of the Month award and, looking ahead, he aims to claim the prestigious Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year in 2024.

Victorious Australia skipper Pat Cummins also earned his way onto the shortlist following decisive bowling spells, as Australia edged ahead with wins in Adelaide and Melbourne in December. Completing the lineup is South Africa’s Dane Paterson, whose 13 wickets across two Tests helped South Africa become the first team to qualify for the WTC Final at Lord’s in June.

Australia’s captain inspired a memorable fightback from the 1-0 series deficit with stirring performances in December’s Tests that featured 144 runs and 17 wickets at 17.64. After the disappointment of Perth, last year’s ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year ripped through the Indian batting lineup in the second innings in Adelaide, taking five for 57 to secure a ten-wicket victory from which they prospered. Arguably his highlight came in Melbourne, where, after his first innings 49, he helped his side recover from 91 for six with valuable lower order runs (41) before removing India’s top three batters as Australia won by 184 runs and took the upper hand in the thrilling series.

The South African seamer is nominated for the first time for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, and does so after 13 wickets on a successful return to the Proteas Test side. Recalled for the second Test against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha, Paterson immediately repaid the faith with a Player of the Match performance, claiming his first Test five-for with the wickets of Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal Mendis and Lahiru Kumara in one over in his first innings return of five for 71. The spell proved crucial in the 109-run win and Paterson backed it up with more heroics with a probing five for 61 in the nail-biting victory over Pakistan that saw South Africa seal their place at Lord’s in what will be their first ICC World Test Championship Final.

Smriti Mandhana nominated among women

Australia, South Africa and India are also represented among the contenders for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award.

Talismanic Indian batter Smriti Mandhana scored heavily during December, notching notable scores in Australia and against the West Indies on home soil. Nonkululeko Mlaba is nominated for the first time after historic wicket-taking feats in South Africa’s Test against England at Bloemfontein. Australia’s all-round sensation Annabel Sutherland is the final name on the shortlist after shining with the bat and ball during the month, hitting back-to-back centuries against India and New Zealand alongside valuable wickets.

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