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The players of the month for July 2024 are Gus Atkinson of England and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka, according to the International Cricket Council (ICC).
In the longest format, Gus Atkinson had a successful beginning to his international career. Last month, at home in their ICC World Test Championship series against the West Indies, he led England’s bowling attack.
When Sri Lanka produced a historic campaign to win the Women’s Asia Cup in July, Athapaththu was again a key player in the team’s victory, leading from the front with commanding batting performances.
Last month, ICC Men’s Player of the Month Gus Atkinson made his explosive debut in the Test match arena, demonstrating his qualifications as a possible James Anderson replacement with blazing fast bowling spells as England won the 3-0 series.
The 26-year-old’s outstanding start was crowned when he won Player of the Series after taking 22 wickets at an average of 16.22 over the series.
The pacer made an immediate impression at Lord’s, tearing through the tourists’ batting lineup with an outstanding session of seven for 45, the second-best Test total for an England bowler in their home debut. Atkinson picked up additional wickets in the second innings, taking five more for 61 runs.
Atkinson’s accurate and incisive bowling helped England take four wickets in Nottingham and then six more in Birmingham as they triumphed and gained significant momentum in the ICC World Test Championship rankings.
In July 2023, Chris Woakes was the last Englishman to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month title. Atkinson is the first.
The winner of the July ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, Gus Atkinson, said of his victory: “It is a true honour to win the ICC Player of the Month! My Test career has taken off in the most amazing way, and I never thought I would be playing at this level in my debut series with England.
“My wonderful teammates and the amazing atmosphere that Baz (Brendon McCullum) and Stokesy (Ben Stokes) created have my sincere gratitude.”
It is a privilege to play and represent my nation. I am aware that there is a lot of work ahead, particularly in light of the upcoming significant series against Sri Lanka. I’m eager to stay dependable and try my most to support England’s progress.
In addition to her growing collection of honours, ICC Women’s Player of the Month Athapaththu added team silverware in July when Sri Lanka defeated India to win their maiden Women’s Asia Cup.
The captain amassed 304 runs with a remarkable strike rate of 146.85 and an average of 101.33 during the campaign.
Highlights from her incredible month included two significant half-centuries in the latter rounds, the first coming as Sri Lanka defeated Pakistan in a thrilling semi-final encounter. She also scored an explosive unbeaten 119 against Malaysia.
She saved her biggest contribution for the last over, when she and Harshitha Samarawikrama smashed 61 to help Sri Lanka rally from a sluggish start to chase down 166, secure a historic victory in Dambulla, and set off unforgettable celebrations.
With her victory, Athapaththu joins Ashleigh Gardner of Australia and Hayley Matthews of the West Indies as the only players to have won the Women’s Player of the Month title three times in a row.
In a statement expressing her happiness, ICC Women’s Player of the Month Chamari Athapaththu said, “I am happy and honoured to have been chosen as the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for the third time.” and seeing my efforts, which were made possible with the help of my teammates and coaches, being consistently acknowledged by the cricket community is encouraging.”
“I think these accolades will inspire thousands of girls who play cricket in my nation and around the world to play for their country by showing them that perseverance and passion for the sport will eventually pay off.”
A vote amongst worldwide supporters registered on icc-cricket.com and a team of experts made up of media representatives, past international players, and members of the ICC Hall of Fame determined the winners, who were Atkinson and Athapaththu.
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Athapaththu defeated India’s opening duo Shafali Verma and June’s winner Smriti Mandhana, while Atkinson defeated another debutant, Charlie Cassell of Scotland, and Washington Sundar of India, to win the men’s title.
India
