While Sutherland was in outstanding form during Australia’s ODI matches against India and New Zealand, winning Player of the Series twice for her all-around contributions, top-ranked Test bowler Jasprit Bumrah put up a fierce fight against Australia’s comeback in a gripping Border-Gavaskar Trophy series with devastating bowling spells.
Both players were crowned after a vote by international fans and a panel of experts that included media representatives, past international players, and members of the ICC Hall of Famers. Bumrah wins his second ICC Men’s Player of the Month award from Dane Paterson and Pat Cummins, two other contenders who took wickets in the World Test Championship.
Sutherland defeats Smriti Mandhana and Nonkululeko Mlaba in the global poll to win her second ICC Women’s Player of the Month award.
In December, Bumrah took 22 wickets at an average of 14.22 in three Test matches in Australia, capping off a fantastic year on the international front. The seamer led India’s resistance as the home team gained confidence and overcame a 1-0 deficit to take the series lead. He made his debut in Adelaide with four for 61.
After that, they travelled to Brisbane, where Bumrah dominated the Australian batting order in the first innings, going three for 18 in the second and six for 76 in a terrifying stretch. In the second innings of the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, the 31-year-old bowled five for 57, setting a new record for the greatest rating points score by any Indian bowler in history. This was part of another nine-wicket return.
ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year and the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year are two of the top ICC prizes 2024 prizes that Bumrah is nominated for, so he will be looking for more success in the weeks ahead.
ICC Men’s Player of the Month, Jasprit Bumrah, said: “I am thrilled to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December. It is always humbling to be chosen for individual accolades, and it is always nice to be recognized for your efforts.
“The Border-Gavaskar Trophy was one of the most closely fought contests ever, and it was an honour for me to go out there and perform for my country.”
ICC Women’s Player of the Month Sutherland, who scored 269 runs at 67.25 and claimed nine wickets in her five appearances, capped a historic year with bat and ball by playing a key part in Australia’s recent victories over India and New Zealand.
She started December with four for 39 with the ball in a decisive victory over India in the second ODI in Brisbane. She then followed up with a spectacular batting display, hitting 110 in 98 balls in the final match to win Player of the Series.
The 23-year-old showed off his batting talent once more in the ensuing series against New Zealand across the Tasman Sea, scoring a remarkable 105 runs in just 81 balls to lead the team to an early victory by 65 runs (DLS).
She scored 42 more runs and claimed three wickets in the second match, which gave Australia back-to-back ODI series sweeps and Sutherland a second consecutive Player of the Series award.
It’s nice to be able to help the team achieve success: Sutherland
Another contender for ICC Awards 2024 triumph, the all-rounder is nominated for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year as well as the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year category.
ICC Women’s Player of the Month, Annabel Sutherland: “December was a great month for us and it was nice to be able to contribute to the team’s success.
“We’ve got great depth within the squad, so to be able to make the most of the opportunities to spend some time out in the middle was really pleasing.
“Those ODIs were really important for us ahead of the upcoming Women’s Cricket World Cup, and it was great to be able to win both series against India and New Zealand.”
India
