Nepal all-rounder Dipendra Singh Airee and the Bangladesh pair of Taijul Islam and Mushfiqur Rahim have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for May while England seam bowler Lauren Bell, Pakistan batter Gull Feroza and New Zealand batter Maddy Green make it to the shortlist for the women’s award.
Airee’s fine form with the bat saw him strike an ODI century against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and he also had some useful spells with the ball to make the cut while Taijul and Mushfiqur made it on the back of some fine performances in the home Test series against Pakistan that their team won 2-0.
Bell was in prime form in ODIs and T20Is during home series against New Zealand and India, Green showed her mettle against England, while Gull struck two ODI centuries against Zimbabwe to make the shortlist.
MEN’S SHORTLIST
Dipender Singh Airee (Nepal)
Airee shone in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 matches in Kirtipur, starting the month with a score of 100 against the UAE and accumulating 249 runs at an average of 49.80 and a strike-rate of 110.66 in six ODIs. He also grabbed eight wickets at an economy rate of 4.52, with a best of four for 24 against the USA.
Taijul Islam (Bangladesh)
The left-arm spinner was the leading wicket-taker in the home series against Pakistan, which Bangladesh won 2-0. He finished with 13 wickets at an average of 19.61 and had a best haul of six for 120 in the second innings of the second Test in Sylhet.
Mushfiqur Rahim (Bangladesh)
The former Bangladesh captain was named the Player of the Series against Pakistan for scoring 235 runs at an average of 63.25. His contributions included important knocks of 71 in the first innings of the first Test and 137 in the second innings of the second Test.
WOMEN’S SHORTLIST
Lauren Bell (England)
Bell warmed up for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with some fine efforts in ODIs and T20Is. She was England’s highest wicket-taker in their ODI series against New Zealand and continued in the same vein in subsequent T20Is against New Zealand and India. She had five wickets in three ODIs and eight in four T20Is.
Gull Feroza (Pakistan)
Gull was named Player of the Series as Pakistan beat Zimbabwe 3-0 in an ODI series played in Karachi. She had scores of 50, 100 and 106 not out, averaging 128 at a strike-rate of 103.64. In four T20Is, she scored 82 runs at a strike-rate of 157.69.
Maddy Green (NZ)
Green was Player of the Series as New Zealand drew their ODI series in England 1-1, striking 88 in the first match at Chester-le-Street. She accumulated 125 runs in the three matches at a strike-rate of 83.33. In three T20Is, she scored a total of 93 runs at a strike-rate of 98.93 that included an unbeaten 56 in the second T20I at Canterbury.
The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process:
An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world will now be invited to cast their votes to decide the winners. Fans are now able to vote for their favourite performers at icc-cricket.com/awards.
The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second week of the month on ICC’s digital channels.
*Voting Academy for the ICC Player of the Month:
Afghanistan: Javed Hamim; Australia: Daniel Cherny; Bangladesh: Mazhar Uddin and Mowsumi Alam Mow; England: Chris Stocks and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: Amol Karhadkar and Samreen Razzaqui; New Zealand: Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sohail Imran and Sana Mir; South Africa: Lynn Buttler and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Farveez Maharoof and Champika Fernado; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Lawrence Trusida; Others: Kyle Coetzer and Rituraj Borkakoty.
Lady In Red
The French domestic rugby competition is called the Top 14.
Danimaldaze
Sport Trivia: Where did Naas Botha play his first test match for South Africa? Answer: Wanderers – Naas Botha was selected to play for South Africa at Rugby Union after playing for the SA Under 20 squad. He made his debut against South America on 26 April 1980 at the Wanderers Stadium, recognised as a cricket ground. This was due to the fact that Ellis Park had been demolished in 1979 to be rebuilt.