India and Australia celebrated a double triumph as Deepti Sharma and Pat Cummins were named the Women's and Men's Players of the Month for December 2023 by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Deepti Sharma's outstanding performances in Test matches against England and Australia earned her the coveted award. The versatile Indian all-rounder showcased her cricketing prowess by amassing an impressive 165 runs at an average of 55 and claiming 11 wickets at a remarkable average of 10.81. One of the standout moments was her all-round brilliance in the Test against England, where she scored a crucial 67 with the bat and took an exceptional 9-wicket haul. Her impact extended to ODIs, where she displayed her bowling skills with a five-wicket haul against Australia. In T20 Internationals against England, Deepti continued her commendable bowling form, maintaining an impressive economy rate of 5.88 runs per over.
On the men's side, Australian pace spearhead Pat Cummins secured the ICC Men's Player of the Month for December 2023. Cummins played a pivotal role in the Test series against Pakistan, particularly in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Defending 317 in the final innings, Cummins played a crucial role by removing Pakistan's Shan Masood, triggering a collapse that led to Australia's victory. Cummins' stellar performance in the Boxing Day Test included two five-wicket hauls (5/48 & 5/49), helping him reach the milestone of 250 Test wickets. His Player of the Match-winning display not only secured the series for Australia but also propelled them to regain the No.1 spot in Tests.
(With Agency Inputs)
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