Two ICC World Test Championship winners along with a reliable Sri Lanka opener are among the three nominees for June.

Pathum Nissanka (Sri Lanka)
Pathum Nissanka kicked off the fourth WTC cycle in style with back-to-back tons in a Test series winning performance for Sri Lanka.

After Bangladesh had posted 495 in good batting conditions in Galle, Nissanka took charge with the willow and scored a career-best 187. Laden with 24 boundaries, including a six, Nissanka’s knock was the only hundred for Sri Lanka in the innings. But it helped Sri Lanka buy time and reach within 10 runs of Bangladesh’s total.

His positive intent remained in the second innings, as Sri Lanka played out a tricky 32-over patch towards the end of the Test, where Nissanka scored a feisty 24, as the hosts managed a draw.

Carrying on his form into the second Test, Nissanka was yet again the island nation’s lone centurion in the game. After Bangladesh were bowled out for 247 on a surface that helped spinners, Nissanka took charge with the bat and slammed 158. He hit 19 boundaries during his innings and helped Sri Lanka take a handy lead of 211 runs.

This proved to be adequate as Sri Lanka won by an innings and 78 runs.