Rising Sri Lanka Test star Kamindu Mendis has become the first player to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award twice in 2024.

Kamindu Mendis beat out tough competition from Sri Lanka teammate Prabath Jayasuriya and Australia’s Travis Head to claim the monthly award, with the stylish left-hander adding to the honour he claimed in March earlier this year.

Mendis played in four Tests during the month, scoring 451 runs at an average of 90.20, helping his side to a consolation win at The Oval in England before playing his part in a superb series triumph against New Zealand back in Sri Lanka.

Mendis was thrilled to win the award for the second time this year and is already working hard on achieving even greater things within his cricketing career.

“I am honoured to be once again chosen as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, and this accolade brings me immense happiness and pride, as I believe all the hard work that was put into becoming the player that I am today is starting to pay off and being recognised consistently in the global stage,” he said.

“This recognition gives me further strength to continue my good work on the cricketing field and aspire for bigger achievements, thus helping my team win games and bring glory to our country and happiness to our fans.”

During September, Mendis became the first men’s player in history to pass fifty in each of the first eight matches of his Test career.

And during the month he became the fastest batter in 75 years to bring up 1000 Test runs – doing so in just eight Tests and matching Don Bradman’s effort of reaching the landmark in 13 innings.

His biggest score of the month was a dominant 182* in Sri Lanka’s mammoth first-innings total of 602/5 declared in the second Test against New Zealand, a knock that helped set up a convincing win.

But arguably more impressive was his 114 in the first innings of the first Test of that series.

His side had been in trouble at 88/3 when Mendis came into bat, with Angelo Mathews also having retired hurt. No other batter on either side reached triple figures in the match, which Sri Lankan went on to win by just 63 runs. (ICC)

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Sri Lankan Test stars Prabath Jayasuriya and Kamindu Mendis are among the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) shortlists for September’s ICC Player of the Month awards.

The list issued today, celebrates the outstanding individual performances that took place across a bumper month of action in international cricket.

The ICC Men’s Player of the Month candidates include three previous Player of the Month winners aiming to secure their second prize – two Sri Lankan Test stars, and a multi-format maestro from Australia.

Travis Head aims to win his second ICC Men’s Player of the Month award after excelling with bat and ball in the shorter formats against Scotland and England in September. 

Joining him on the shortlist for the monthly award is Sri Lankan pair Prabath Jayasuriya and Kamindu Mendis. Jayasuriya shone with the spinning ball, while Mendis celebrated another set of landmarks with strong performances in their World Test Championship outings against England and New Zealand.

The shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award pairs two experienced runscorers from England and the UAE with a promising Irish spinner.

Tammy Beaumont is nominated once more following a prolific month at the crease, spearheading England’s batting output in short format series in Ireland. The opposition enjoyed their own success during the series, with spinner Aimee Maguire grabbing a hatful of wickets during September’s contests. 

Completing the lineup is Esha Oza, whose runs and wickets helped the UAE seal the Tri-Nation Series in Namibia.

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 are now able to vote for their favourite performers at icc-cricket.com/awards.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for September:

Travis Head (AUS)

The Australian all-rounder aims to win his second ICC Player of the Month award after 430 runs and six wickets in short format series in Scotland and England in September. The 30-year-old, having previously won in November 2023, began the month blasting 80 from 25 balls as Australia blew Scotland away in the first of three T20Is in Edinburgh. Two subdued performances followed, before returning to form as they crossed the border. Scores of 59 and 31 in T20Is were followed by strong performances in the ODI format, with Head claiming the Player of the Series accolade thanks to an unbeaten 154 and two wickets in Nottingham, and four wickets in the decisive victory in Bristol.

Prabath Jayasuriya (SL)

Another former winner of the Men’s Player of the Month award back in July 2022, Jayasuriya was a consistently threatening presence in the Sri Lankan bowling lineup during September. He took three wickets in the second Test defeat against England, yet saved his best individual performances for the visit of New Zealand to Galle. He claimed the Player of the Match award for nine wickets in the first Test, which included a pivotal five-for in the second innings to hold off the Blackcaps’ charge, and took another nine wickets in the second Test, highlighted by six for 42 in the first innings.

Kamindu Mendis (SL)

The 26-year-old has made plenty of headlines in 2024, and continues his record-breaking form in the longest format after a landmark September which included 451 runs at an average of 90.20 in four Tests. A half-century in the final Test victory over England preceded century scores of 114 and 182 not out respectively in the two Tests against New Zealand, making Mendis the first player to pass fifty in each of his first eight Tests, and the fastest batter in 75 years to reach 1,000 Test runs.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for September:

Tammy Beaumont (ENG)

Evergreen England batter Beaumont also aims to win her second Player of the Month award after her sole previous success came in February 2021. The 33-year-old recorded 279 runs from her five matches in September, which included three ODIs and two T20Is against a spirited Ireland side. A blistering performance in the second ODI encounter in Belfast saw Beaumont smash an unbeaten 150 in 139 balls atop the order, as England sealed the series win with a statement victory. Another ODI half-century followed in the next match, before scores of 27 and 40 in the drawn T20I series wrapped up her tour.

Aimee Maguire (IRE)

18-year-old Maguire has made an impressive start to her international career since her debut last year, and hit the headlines in September after inspiring Ireland’s first ODI victory over England since 2001. The left-arm spinner claimed career-best figures of five for 19 in the third match, taking the prized wickets of Beaumont and Kate Cross to restrict the tourists and set up a famous win. Not done there, the youngster starred during the subsequent T20I matches, taking five more wickets across two matches at an average of 12.40.

Esha Oza (UAE)

UAE skipper Oza secures her second nomination in the ICC Women’s Player of the Month awards after Player of the Series endeavours in the UAE’s Capricorn Women’s Tri-Series triumph in Namibia. The all-rounder registered 209 runs and eight wickets from six T20I matches in September, highlighted by a fine display in their third match (42 and three for 29 against Namibia), and 84 in the following victory over Zimbabwe.

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:

Afghanistan: Javed Hamim; Australia: Daniel Cherny and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Mazhar Uddin and Md Ariful Islam Roney; England: Chris Stocks and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: S Gomesh and Shivani Gupta; New Zealand: Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sawera Pasha and Sana Mir; South Africa: Zaahier Adams and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Azzam Ameen and Farveez Maharoof; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Lawrence Trusida and Grant Flower; Others: Darren Allan Kyeyune and Kyle Coetzer. (ICC)

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Sri Lanka all-rounder Kamindu Mendis and former captain Angelo Mathews have progressed in the ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings after contributing to their team’s 192-run victory in Chattogram that helped complete a 2-0 win in the ICC World Test Championship series against Bangladesh.

Kamindu Mendis’s scores of 92 not out and nine have lifted him 18 places to 46th position in the batters’ list while his three-wicket haul in the second innings sees him gain 46 slots and reach 117th position among bowlers.

Mathews, who enjoyed a career-high third rank in August 2014, has inched up two places to 25th after scores of 23 and 56. 

In what is another notable movement for a Sri Lankan batter, Kusal Mendis has progressed three places to 52nd after scoring 93 in the first innings.

In the bowling rankings, Asitha Fernando has moved up seven places to 27th position after a four-wicket haul in the first innings, Vishwa Fernando is up from 43rd to 41st with three wickets in the match and Lahiru Kumara has gone from 46th to 44th after finishing with six wickets in Chattogram.

Bangladesh opener Zakir Hasan, who scored 54 and 19, has gone up three places to 75th position in the Test batting rankings while Mehidy Hasan Miraz is up from 99th to 88th after a valiant 81 not out in the second innings. Mominul Haque has gained four slots and is in 46th position after scoring 83 runs in his two innings.

Debutant fast bowler Hasan Mahmud has entered the Test bowling rankings in 95th position after grabbing six wickets in the match.

For more about the ICC Rankings, please click here.

For more on the ICC World Test Championship click here. (ICC)

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Sri Lanka’s Kamindu Mendis has beat off competition for Ireland pacer Mark Adair and New Zealand speedster Matt Henry to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for March 2024.

Mendis became the third Sri Lankan after Prabath Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga to win the Men’s prize. The batter sees this award as a source of inspiration for his future in international cricket.

“I am extremely happy to be named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month, which I consider an inspiration for my international career,” Mendis expressed. “A recognition such as this motivates and makes us as players work more and more to deliver in the middle for the team, country, and fans.

“I also wish the very best for the other two players who were nominated along with me, Mark Adair and Matt Henry, whom I consider excellent players and good competitors.”

It has been a return to remember for the 25-year-old, who came back to the Sri Lanka setup for the first time since 2022. Mendis started the month with 68 runs in the three-match series against Bangladesh, of which 37 came in the second T20I off 27 balls.

He outshone himself in the longer format, delivering an exceptional performance by scoring centuries in both innings of the first Test against the same opponents.

Walking into bat when Sri Lanka was in big trouble at 57/5, he stitched a massive 202-run stand with Dhananjaya de Silva to take the team to a respectable total of 280. Both the batters got to a century, with Mendis scoring 102.

After skittling out Bangladesh for 188, the duo once again rescued the visitors and cemented their dominance over Bangladesh with individual centuries. 

Mendis, batting at No.8 with the score at 126/6, crafted a career-best 164 runs adorned with 16 fours and 6 sixes.

In doing so, Mendis become the first player batting at number seven or lower to hit two centuries in a single Test.

Sri Lanka posted 418 and bowled Bangladesh out for 182, winning the match by a massive margin of 328 runs. (ICC)

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The International Cricket Council (ICC) today revealed the shortlist of candidates in contention to scoop the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for performances in March.

The ICC Player of the Month awards highlight the outstanding individual performers on the international cricket stage, and the names shortlisted for March span a range of formats.

The ICC Men’s Player of the Month shortlist includes Sri Lanka batter Kamindu Mendis, nominated for his memorable batting feats as Sri Lanka overcame Bangladesh in the longest format.

Mark Adair has his maiden nomination for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award after spearheading Ireland’s Test win over Afghanistan as well as contributing in the shorter formats. New Zealand’s Matt Henry enjoyed a successful month with the ball also, taking regular wickets in his side’s World Test Championship series against Australia. The lineup is completed by Sri Lanka batter Kamindu Mendis, nominated for his memorable batting feats as Sri Lanka overcame Bangladesh in the longest format.

The women’s shortlist celebrates both shorter formats, with the nominees consisting of an explosive young English batter, and iconic all-rounders from Australia and New Zealand.

England’s Maia Bouchier blasted her way to the top of the run-scoring charts in her side’s victorious T20I series away in New Zealand, for which she is handed her maiden nomination. Ashleigh Gardner is a four-time former winner of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month and features once more after starring in Australia’s ODI series win against Bangladesh. New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr may have been on the losing end of the England series, yet she provided strong resistance as the White Ferns’ leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in March’s contests.

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 will be able to vote for their favourite performers at icc-cricket.com/awards.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Nominees for March:

Mark Adair (IRE)

The Irish pacer featured in all three formats in March, making strong contributions in all. However, it was in the longest format where Adair made his biggest impact, spearheading Ireland to their first ever men’s Test victory with their win over Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. Adair bowled superbly to take five for 39 in the first innings, and followed up with three for 56 in the second, which included the prized wickets of skipper Hashmat Shahidi and Ibrahim Zadran. This Player of the Match performance preceded more wickets in the subsequent ODI and T20I series, and Adair finished the month with 16 wickets across all three formats.

Matt Henry (NZ)

Despite their ICC World Test Championship series against Australia ending in defeat, the New Zealand seamer was a shining light for the Blackcaps during March. Henry was the primary threat with the ball in the first innings of the first Test in Wellington, dismissing both Australian openers in a fiery spell that heralded five wickets. The first innings of the second Test also saw Henry at his best – the 32-year old blitzing the middle order to take seven wickets for 67. With 17 wickets across his two Tests at an average of 15.70, the 32-year-old demonstrated trademark consistency and accuracy throughout, capping his performances with the Player of the Series accolade.

Kamindu Mendis (SL)

The 25-year-old batter registered modest scores in Sri Lanka’s T20I series against Bangladesh at the start of the month, but followed with a memorable record-breaking performance in the first Test in Sylhet. Striding to the crease at 57 for five, Mendis partnered with Dhananjaya de Silva to rescue the Sri Lanka innings, striking 102 as they eventually posted a respectable score of 280. Facing similar troubles in the second innings at 126 for six, Mendis alongside De Silva once more re-asserted control, and the former’s mammoth innings of 164 in 237 balls helped his side to a comfortable victory, and saw him become the first player batting at number seven or lower to hit two centuries in a single Test.

ICC Women’s Player of the Month Nominees for March:

Maia Bouchier (ENG)

With 223 runs coming from her five T20Is in New Zealand at an average of 55.75 and a stunning strike rate of 129.65, Bouchier produced a landmark month in her international career to secure her maiden appearance on the shortlist for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award. She began the series with an unbeaten 43 to see England over the line in the first contest, before hitting a brisk 71 in 47 balls albeit in a losing cause in the third match. Promoted up to open the batting in the subsequent decisive encounter in Wellington, Bouchier proceeded to hit her highest T20I score of 91 in 56 balls, securing the series victory in blistering style as the star player in a 47-run win.

Ash Gardner (AUS)

Gardner is a four-time former winner of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award, and her fifth nomination comes thanks to a series of fine performances as Australia secured ODI series victory over Bangladesh last month. The three-match contest saw Australia’s bowlers flourish, dismissing the hosts for under 100 each time. Gardner’s lethal spin was a constant threat, taking three wickets in the first encounter, followed by two wickets in the second and three again in the third. With eight wickets at an average of 8.62 across the three matches in Mirpur, Gardner deservedly claimed the Player of the Series prize.

Amelia Kerr (NZ)

The New Zealander is also a former winner of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month – claiming the top prize back in February 2022. Her performances in the recent short format series with England provides her latest nomination, where she ended as the White Ferns’ top run-scorer and wicket-taker. Among her notable contributions were 44 runs in 36 balls in a losing effort in the second T20I, and 44 more alongside Sophie Devine as New Zealand won the third encounter in Nelson. 114 runs at 38.00 and six wickets defined the 23-year-old’s prolific month, and also underlined her credentials as one of the outstanding young talents in the global game.

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: **

Afghanistan: Javed Hamim; Australia: Daniel Cherny and Lisa Sthalekar; Bangladesh: Mazhar Uddin and Md Ariful Islam Roney; England: Chris Stocks and Lydia Greenway; Ireland: Ger Siggins and Clare Shillington; India: S Gomesh and Shivani Gupta; New Zealand: Craig Cumming; Pakistan: Sawera Pasha and Sana Mir; South Africa: Zaahier Adams and Ashwell Prince; Sri Lanka: Azzam Ameen and Farveez Maharoof; West Indies: Daren Ganga and Stacy Ann King; Zimbabwe: Lawrence Trusida and Grant Flower; Others: Darren Allan Kyeyune and Kyle Coetzer. (ICC)

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Sri Lanka captain Dhananjaya de Silva has been rewarded for his Player of the Match heroics during the first Test against Bangladesh by making giant strides on the latest ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings.

The Sri Lanka skipper scored twin tons in Sylhet to help his side register a commanding 328-run victory over their Asian rival and in the process rose to a new career-high rating on the updated rankings for Test batters.

Men’s Test Batter Rankings

De Silva shot up a whopping 15 places to 14th overall following scores of 102 and 108, with the 32-year-old improving to a best-ever figure of 695 rating points to be within just 40 rating points of breaking into the top 10 Test batters in the world.

Kamindu Mendis also contributed twin tons during the first Test against Bangladesh and the left-hander re-entered the rankings for Test batters in equal 64th place following an eye-catching performance in what was just his second Test appearance.

Veteran left-hander Mominul Haque played a lone hand for Bangladesh with an unbeaten 87* in the second innings in Sylhet and rose eight places to 50th on the list for Test batters as a result.

There was more joy for Sri Lanka’s players on the updated rankings for Test bowlers, with right-arm quick Kasun Rajitha among the biggest movers following his five-wicket haul in the second innings against Bangladesh.

Men’s Test Bowler Rankings

It helped Rajitha move up six places to 38th overall, while teammates Vishwa Fernando (up seven spots to 43rd) and Lahiru Kumara (up six rungs to equal  46th) also made some ground following impressive performances with the ball.

India duo Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin maintain their spots at the head of the Test rankings for all-rounders, with Bangladesh spinner Mehidy Hasan (up one place to 14th) and de Silva (up five spots to equal 25th) the notable movers this week. (ICC)

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