News
ICC Announced Men’s and Women’s player of the month awards
The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the latest crop of international stars shortlisted for the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards following an action-packed month of cricket in September.
The three-person ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist features one of England’s prolific short-format batters and an Indian duo that was instrumental in their trophy-winning Asia Cup campaign last month.
Mohammed Siraj enjoyed a return to the top of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI rankings for bowlers in late September, and was the chief architect of India’s success in the final with a remarkable bowling display. Joining him on the shortlist is Shubman Gill, hoping to win his second Player of the Month prize after his run-scoring heroics in the Asia Cup continued into the subsequent ODI series against Australia.
England’s Dawid Malan completes the lineup, nominated for the first time after a superb showing in the series against New Zealand.
The shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award features a young South African duo that recorded an impressive T20I win in Pakistan, and Sri Lanka’s influential skipper, who led them to a historic T20I series victory in England.
Chamari Athapaththu gains her second Player of the Month nomination after her batting and bowling contributions inspired Sri Lanka’s first-ever series win on English soil. Joining her among the contenders for September’s crown is fellow all-rounder, Nadine de Klerk, whose wickets and runs proved vital to South Africa’s ODI successes against Pakistan and New Zealand, and her compatriot Laura Wolvaardt, who again showed glimpses of her batting brilliance with runs in both T20I and ODI formats against the same opposition.
An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world will now be invited to cast their votes to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered at icc-cricket.com/awards will be able to vote for their favorite performers until Thursday.
ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for September:
Shubman Gill (IND)
The Indian batter has enjoyed a hugely successful 2023 so far, and could potentially be in line to win his second Player of the Month accolade after runs again came flooding in during September. The 24-year-old registered 480 runs at an average of 80 in his eight ODIs during the month, with notable highlights including a stylish century against Bangladesh in Colombo, and 74 and 104 in back-to-back games against Australia.
Dawid Malan (ENG)
The England batter arrived into the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in sublime form in ODI cricket, scooping the Player of the Series award in the recent victory over New Zealand at home. His scores during the series progressed with each match. After a half-century in the second fixture, he came within a whisker of three figures with 96 at the Oval, before he passed the landmark in the final outing across London at Lord’s. His 277 ODI runs in September came at an average of 92.33.
Mohammed Siraj (IND)
The pacer returned to the summit of the MRF Tyres ICC Men’s ODI bowler rankings in September thanks to a glittering performance to dismantle Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup final in Colombo. Siraj took 11 wickets in total across six ODIs, but his month will be remembered for the memorable way in which he tore into the defending champions, bowling them out for 50 runs, taking six wickets for 21 which included a four-wicket over.
ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for September:
Chamari Athapaththu (SL)
Sri Lanka’s iconic skipper was at the peak of her powers in the T20I series against England in September. After narrowly losing the rain-effected first contest, Athapaththu registered back-to-back Player of the Match performances to clinch their maiden victory over the home side in any format. Her trademark explosive batting and economical bowling helped restrict England to low totals in the second and third matches. A terrific 55 runs in 31 balls in the second match was followed by a match-winning 44 in 28 balls in the decisive encounter, along with three priceless England wickets.
Nadine de Klerk (SA)
The South African all-rounder celebrates her first nomination in the Player of the Month awards after valuable runs and wickets helped claim ODI victories over Pakistan and New Zealand last month. De Klerk chipped in with scores throughout September, only being dismissed once, and scoring 171 runs including successive half-centuries. The Player of the Series against Pakistan also impressed with the ball, recording 13 wickets in her five ODI outings at a superb average of 12.76.
Laura Wolvaardt (SA)
Despite losing the T20I series 3-0 against Pakistan, Wolvaardt was named Player of the Series after amassing 157 runs in her three matches. A quiet ODI series against Pakistan followed before the South African once again rediscovered her form, this time against New Zealand, striking a classy half-century before an unbeaten 124 saw her side confirm the series win and Wolvaardt claim another Player of the Series prize.
Football
Kyle Walker Set for AC Milan Loan Move with Option to Buy
Manchester City captain Kyle Walker is set to join Italian giants AC Milan on loan for the remainder of the season. The agreement reportedly includes an option for AC Milan to make the move permanent during the summer transfer window.
Walker, who has played 316 matches for Manchester City since joining from Tottenham Hotspur in 2017 for £50 million, will travel to Italy for his medical. The 34-year-old right-back last played for City in their game against West Ham on January 4. Shortly after, he informed manager Pep Guardiola of his interest in exploring opportunities abroad.
The England international, with 93 caps to his name, preferred a move to Serie A over a potential switch to the Saudi Pro League, where he was initially linked. Walker, who has been an integral part of City’s success, contributed to all six of their Premier League title wins under Guardiola.
AC Milan’s interest in Walker comes amidst links to Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford. However, Italian transfer rules allow them to register only one player from the UK during this window. This made Walker their priority signing.
As one of City’s joint-captains, elected by his teammates in 2023, Walker has been a key figure in the club’s leadership group.
Meanwhile, Manchester City has been active in the January transfer market, spending approximately £123 million on new additions. These include Egypt forward Omar Marmoush from Frankfurt for £59 million, Vitor Reis from Palmeiras for £30 million, and Abdukodir Khusanov from Lens for £33.6 million.
Stay updated on the latest football transfer news at Sri Lankan Sports TV.
Cricket
Sri Lanka U19 Women Secure Super Six Spot Despite Loss to India in ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025
The Sri Lanka U19 Women’s cricket team faced a tough defeat against India in their final Group A match of the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025, played on January 23 at the Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur. Despite the loss, Sri Lanka qualified for the Super Six stage, marking a significant milestone in their campaign.
India’s Innings: A Steady Recovery After Early Wickets
Sri Lanka’s decision to field first paid off initially, as they reduced India to 17/2 in the first 4.2 overs. However, Indian batter Gongadi Trisha played a key role, scoring 49 runs to anchor the innings. Sri Lanka’s Pramudi Methsara and Limansa Thilakaratne each took two wickets, limiting India to a total of 118/9 in 20 overs.
Sri Lanka’s Struggles with the Bat
Chasing 119, Sri Lanka’s batting lineup faltered against India’s disciplined bowling. The team was reeling at 15/5 in the powerplay, with key players dismissed early. Rashmika Sewwandi offered some resistance, scoring 15 runs, but Sri Lanka was bowled out for 59 in 18 overs, falling short by 59 runs.
Super Six Qualification: A Positive Takeaway
Despite the defeat, Sri Lanka’s performances earlier in the group stage ensured their progression to the Super Six stage. This achievement provides an opportunity for the young side to gain more exposure and showcase their talent on the global stage.
As the ICC U19 Women’s T20 World Cup 2025 unfolds, Sri Lanka’s journey continues to inspire cricket fans, highlighting the growth of women’s cricket in the country.
For more updates on Sri Lanka U19 Women’s cricket and the latest sports news, stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV.
Cricket
India Declines to Travel to Pakistan for Champions Trophy 2025: A New Twist in the Cricket Saga
In a significant development, India has officially announced its decision not to travel to Pakistan for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. This decision, stemming from longstanding political tensions and security concerns, has far-reaching implications for the tournament’s organization and the future of cricket diplomacy. Adding another layer of complexity, the Indian cricket team has also decided not to wear jerseys featuring the Champions Trophy 2025 logo that mentions Pakistan as the host nation.
Key Reasons for India’s Decision
1. Security Concerns: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) emphasized that security issues in Pakistan remain a major obstacle to sending the team.
2. Political Strain: The strained diplomatic relations between India and Pakistan have long impacted bilateral cricketing ties, with no bilateral series held since 2012.
3. Preference for Neutral Venues: India has proposed moving their matches to a neutral venue, similar to arrangements made during the 2023 Asia Cup, where India’s games were played in Sri Lanka.
Implications of the Decision
1. Tournament Adjustments
India’s withdrawal from playing in Pakistan could lead to significant changes in the tournament structure. The ICC might relocate India’s matches to neutral venues such as the UAE or Sri Lanka, splitting the event across multiple countries.
2. Financial and Logistical Impact
With India being one of the largest revenue generators in international cricket, this decision could impact ticket sales, broadcasting rights, and sponsorship deals.
3. Diplomatic Fallout
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has expressed its dissatisfaction, calling the move a setback to efforts aimed at normalizing international cricket in Pakistan.
Jersey Controversy: No Pakistan Logo
In a bold statement, the BCCI has decided that the Indian cricket team will not don jerseys featuring the official Champions Trophy 2025 logo that mentions Pakistan as the host.
Symbolic Gesture: The absence of the logo underscores India’s stance on the issue.
Custom Design: The Indian team is expected to wear an alternate jersey design, which complies with ICC regulations but omits specific references to Pakistan’s hosting rights.
Reactions from the Cricketing World
PCB’s Stand: The PCB has labeled India’s actions as politically motivated, arguing that Pakistan has successfully hosted international teams, proving its ability to ensure security.
ICC’s Challenge: The ICC now faces the difficult task of accommodating India’s concerns while preserving the tournament’s integrity.
Fans’ Divide: While Indian fans support their team’s security-first approach, global cricket enthusiasts are disappointed at the continuing intersection of politics and sport.
What’s Next?
The ICC is expected to meet with both boards to discuss solutions, including potential venue adjustments and jersey regulations. A final decision is anticipated in the coming months.
Conclusion
India’s refusal to travel to Pakistan and the jersey controversy have added a dramatic twist to the lead-up to the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. These developments highlight the persistent challenges of balancing cricket with geopolitics. As the situation unfolds, the cricketing world watches closely, hoping for a resolution that keeps the spirit of the game alive.
Stay tuned to Sri Lankan Sports TV for the latest updates on this story and more breaking sports news.
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