Joseph, Hunter win ICC Player of the Month awards

Latest tempo sensation Shamar Joseph on Tuesday turned the primary West Indian to win the Men’s ICC Player of the Month award for his heroics within the Australia Test collection.

Ireland’s explosive younger batter, Amy Hunter, claimed the honour within the girls’s class after her dominance in opposition to Zimbabwe.

The ICC revealed the award winners for January on Tuesday after shortlists have been introduced final week.

Joseph loved a stellar begin to his West Indies profession. Brought into the facet for his or her Test collection in opposition to Australia, the 24-year-old made an prompt affect, eradicating Steve Smith together with his first ball in worldwide cricket.

His first outing in Test cricket noticed him declare 5 wickets within the first innings in Adelaide, taking the prized wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green and Smith. However, it is going to be his efforts within the second Test in Brisbane which is able to lengthy be remembered.

Defending a modest 216 to stop an Australian victory within the second innings, Joseph grabbed 7/68 – 4 of which have been bowled – to skittle the house facet out eight runs in need of the goal.

The win noticed the West Indies declare a historic 1-1 draw, with Joseph sealing the Player of the Series award for his spectacular debut. This newest accolade means he’s the primary West Indian to win the lads’s award since its inception in January 2021.

Joseph, mentioned, “To get such an award on the world stage feels special. I totally enjoyed every moment of that experience playing for West Indies in Australia, especially the magic of the final day at the Gabba. Taking the wicket to win the match was a dream! “It was a truly memorable moment for me, and I just want to continue to work hard and deliver more match-winning performances for the West Indies with the ball; and when required also with the bat.” Hunter is one other of the younger abilities lighting up the worldwide stage. After a subdued ODI rubber to start out the month, Hunter adopted up with an explosive collection of knocks within the T20I collection in Harare.

The first T20I match noticed the 18-year-old wicketkeeper-batter smash a glittering 101 not out in simply 66 balls from atop the order because the away facet gained by 57 runs.

Hunter hit an additional 77 and 42 runs within the second and third outings respectively as Ireland comfortably secured the collection win away from residence.

Across her three T20Is through the month, her 220 runs got here at a powerful strike price of 144.73, serving to her turn into the primary Ireland participant to win the award since Arlene Kelly gained final August.

Hunter mentioned, “It’s been an amazing start to the year, with two convincing series wins against Zimbabwe. I am pleased to have been able to contribute to the team’s success and hope to continue to do so.” Joseph overcame different high performers in Tests through the month: England’s Ollie Pope and Australia’s Josh Hazlewood, whereas Hunter gained forward of high Australian duo of Alyssa Healy and Beth Mooney.