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International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled its Men's Player of the Month nominees for September 2024, featuring three standout cricketers.
ICC announces nominees for Player of the Month for September
Australian batter Travis Head, along with Sri Lankan stars Prabath Jayasuriya and Kamindu Mendis, are in the running for this award. Head's explosive form in white-ball cricket and Jayasuriya and Mendis' exceptional performances in Test cricket have made them strong contenders.
Travis Head, Prabath Jayasuriya, Kamindu Mendis make the cut
Travis Head's exceptional batting display during Australia's tour of England and Scotland earned him a place among the nominees. In September, he showcased his skills in five T20I matches, scoring 182 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 245.94. His 23-ball 59 against England and 25-ball 80 against Scotland were highlights of his performance, contributing significantly to Australia's success. Head's form continued into the ODI series against England, where he scored 248 runs at an average of 82.66 and a strike rate of 120.97. His outstanding performances earned him the Player of the Series award, and his 4/28 in the deciding ODI sealed Australia's 3-2 series victory.
Prabath Jayasuriya's exceptional spin bowling prowess was instrumental in Sri Lanka's series victory over New Zealand in September. The left-arm spinner claimed nine wickets in each Test match, showcasing his dominance throughout the series. His 5/68 in the first Test was crucial in dismissing New Zealand 63 runs short of their target on the final day. In the second Test, he followed up with a stunning 6/42, securing a comfortable win for Sri Lanka. Jayasuriya's outstanding performance in September saw him take 21 wickets at an average of 27.90 in three Tests. He also reached the milestone of 100 Test wickets in just 16 matches, breaking a long-standing national record for the fastest Sri Lankan bowler to achieve this feat.
Kamindu Mendis' exceptional form since his Test debut continued in September, highlighted by his impressive 451 runs in four Tests at an average of 90.20. He achieved a unique milestone by becoming the first male player to score a fifty in each of his first eight Tests. His unbeaten 182 in the second Test against New Zealand was a standout performance, contributing significantly to Sri Lanka's commanding first-innings total of 602/5 declared. Another crucial knock was his 114 in the first Test, which helped Sri Lanka recover from a difficult situation and eventually secure a 63-run victory. Mendis also made history by becoming the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1000 Test runs, achieving this feat in just eight matches, equalling the legendary Don Bradman's record of 13 innings.
