Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand wins his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award after a string of memorable knocks during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India’s group stages. Hayley Matthews of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for October leads the way with brilliant individual performances during the West Indies’ short format matches in Australia.
The 23-year-old Blackcaps hitter Rachin Ravindra was unstoppable in the early going of New Zealand’s World Cup campaign. Even though he had only played in 12 ODIs before the event, Rachin Ravindra made waves by hitting an incredible 123 not out in their nine-wicket triumph over the reigning champions, England, in Ahmedabad on the opening day of the competition.
His next century came in the thrilling match against Australia at Dharamsala, where he blasted 116 in 89 balls and brought New Zealand within touching distance of a mammoth 389 target before ultimately falling five runs short. He continued to simmer away with stylish half-centuries against the Netherlands (51) and India (75). Ravindra played six matches in October and scored 406 runs at an average of 81.20.
After dominating in her team’s T20I series against reigning world champions Australia, Hayley Matthews wins her second ICC Women’s Player of the Month title. On her path to winning Player of the Series, the top-ranked all-rounder in the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings continuously hindered the home team with potent hitting and crucial wickets.
Even though Australia lost the opening match in North Sydney by eight wickets, captain Matthews scored an undefeated 99 at the top of the order and also claimed the valuable wicket of Alyssa Healy in the reply. Matthews then produced what was possibly her best performance of the game, smashing 132 not out in 64 balls (20 fours and five sixes) to secure an impressive victory after taking Australia’s innings leading to the wickets of Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, and Annabel Sutherland. Matthews was facing a daunting 213 for victory.
The captain scored another half-century (79) in the last game, capping the month with 310 runs at an average of 155 in the series.
After voting from fans worldwide who 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, Ravindra and Matthews were declared the winners.
In order to win his first reward, Ravindra defeated two other ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup stars: Jasprit Bumrah of India and Quinton de Kock of South Africa.
Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews emerged victorious from a shortlist that also included Nahida Akhter of Bangladesh and Amelia Kerr of New Zealand.
“I’m very grateful to win this award,” Ravindra said in response to receiving the award. Both for the team and for me, this has been a memorable month. Playing a World Cup in India has been an extremely unique experience.
The team’s support and the ability to play your natural game with a great deal of flexibility are both very helpful. The good news is that I’ve been able to bat on some pretty beautiful wickets, which fits my style of being aggressive and optimistic.
“I’m very grateful to have received the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for October,” said Hayley Matthews, the ICC Women’s Player of the Month. I adore donning the West Indies shirt. Every time I wear the maroon and gold, it provides a dimension of distinction that allows you to play well on the field—not just for the team and for yourself, but also because of the significance cricket holds for the Caribbean’s people and their ability to unite.
“It was really amazing to perform as I did there in Australia, but what matters most to me is how many smiles I was able to bring to the faces of people back home in the Caribbean.”