The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist for May 2022 features players from both sides of the recently concluded ICC World Test Championship (WTC) series between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
Angelo Mathews and Asitha Fernando were two architects of Sri Lanka’s 1-0 series victory and are named in the shortlist thanks to key performances with bat and ball. Mushfiqur Rahim of Bangladesh completes the lineup following stellar contributions at the crease in both Tests.
Stars of Pakistan’s bowling attack and batting lineup, Tuba Hassan and Bismah Maroof, are shortlisted for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after their recent 3-0 T20I series victory over Sri Lanka. Spin sensation Tuba enjoyed plenty of success, while skipper Bismah contributed consistently en route to chasing down targets in each fixture. Trinity Smith (Jersey) was integral to her side’s successful stint in the France Women’s International T20 Quadrangular, and her performances with bat and ball see her on the shortlist for the first time.
An independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world can now vote to decide the winners, which will be announced next week. Fans registered on icc-cricket.com/awards are invited to cast their votes until Saturday.
ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for May:
Asitha Fernando (SL)
The Sri Lanka seamer proved pivotal to his side’s success in Bangladesh, taking 13 wickets across the two WTC Tests at an average of 16.61. He followed up three wickets at Chattogram with an outstanding display with the ball at Mirpur. Fernando’s figures of four for 93 helped restrict the hosts’ first innings score, before he seized the upper hand for his side by ripping through the Bangladesh order in the second innings. His six for 51 ensured the tourists coasted to a 10-wicket win and a series victory.
Angelo Mathews (SL)
So often the key contributor in Sri Lanka’s batting lineup, Mathews was a constant danger for the Bangladesh side. Big centuries in both Tests saw him aggregate 344 runs at an average of 172. His mammoth 199 in Chattogram was outshone by a thrilling 145 not out in Mirpur, which set the platform for his side to post a huge score of 506 and secure an impressive series victory.
Mushfiqur Rahim (Ban)
Mushfiqur displayed his batting prowess, spearheading his side’s resistance with centuries in Chattogram and Mirpur. Amassing 303 runs at an average of 151.5, he was a shining light for the hosts. His 105 in the first Test was crucial, while his 175 not out and an important partnership with Liton Das in the first innings of the second Test stood out even as his teammates faltered around him.
ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for May:
Tuba Hassan (Pak)
Tuba’s masterful display with the ball in the T20I series against Sri Lanka earned her a first nomination in the ICC Women’s Player of the Month awards. With five wickets in the series at an impressive economy rate of 3.66, her dazzling performances were highlighted by an outstanding spell of three for eight in the first match in Karachi. This restricted the tourists to a modest 106 for eight and set the tone for her side to claim a whitewash on home soil.
Bismah Maroof (Pak)
The Pakistan skipper enjoyed a profitable T20I series against Sri Lanka, demonstrating her mature batting by guiding her side to a dominant 3-0 victory. Batting second in each match, Bismah was at the crease to see her side home in two of the three chases, ending the series as the leading run-scorer with 65 runs at a strike rate of 85.52.
Trinity Smith (Jersey)
Smith, 17, is the first player from Jersey to be nominated for the ICC Player of the Month awards after some stellar performances with bat and ball in the France Women’s International T20 Quadrangular. Scoring 120 runs without being dismissed and taking four wickets in the four matches she played, her 56 not out from 40 balls in the final match saw her side chase down a target of 126 to clinch victory.
The ICC Player of the Month Voting Process:
The three nominees for either category are shortlisted based on performances from the first to the last day of each calendar month. The shortlist is then voted on by the independent ICC Voting Academy* and fans around the world. The ICC Voting Academy comprises prominent members of the cricket fraternity including well-known journalists, former players, broadcasters and members of the ICC Hall of Fame. The Voting Academy submit their votes by email and hold a 90 per cent share of the vote. Fans registered with the ICC can vote via the ICC website, accounting for the remaining 10 per cent. Winners are announced every second Monday of the month on ICC’s digital channels.
Voting Academy for ICC Player of the Month May 2022*:
Afghanistan: Hameed Qayoomi and Javed Hamim; Australia: Melinda Farrell and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Sayeed Zaman and Mohammad Isam; England: Elizabeth Ammon and Holly Colvin; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: Lavanya Lakshmi Narayanan and Irfan Pathan; New Zealand: Jordan Oppert and Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Faizan Lakhani and Sana Mir; South Africa: Firdose Moonda and JP Duminy; Sri Lanka: Neville Victor Anthony and Russel Arnold; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Merissa Aguilleira; Zimbabwe: Tristan Holme and Mpumelelo Mbangwa; Others: Ajit Vijaykumar and Dirk Nannes.
