New Zealand's emerging all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and West Indies captain and all-rounder Hayley Matthews have been named the winners of the ICC Players of the Month awards for October 2023.
Rachin Ravindra secured his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for his outstanding performances in the group stages of the 2023 Men’s ODI World Cup in India. Ravindra, 23, showcased exceptional form during New Zealand's ODI World Cup campaign, scoring memorable knocks, including a superb 123 not out against defending champions England. In total, he amassed 406 runs at an impressive average of 81.20 during six matches in October 2023.
Hayley Matthews, the West Indies skipper, claimed the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for October. She demonstrated remarkable individual performances in West Indies' white-ball matches in Australia. Matthews' leadership from the front and outstanding contributions with both bat and ball set her apart. The shortlist for the Women's Player of the Month also included Nahida Akhter from Bangladesh and New Zealand's Amelia Kerr.
“I'm very grateful to win this award. It's been a special month personally and for the team. Being able to play a World Cup in India has been incredibly special. Being backed by the team helps a lot, as well as being able to go out there with a lot of freedom and play your natural game. The lucky thing is that the wickets have been really nice to bat on, which suits my game in terms of being positive and taking the game on,” said Ravindra.
Hayley Matthews secured her second ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after delivering outstanding performances in the T20I series against defending world champions Australia. As the top-ranked all-rounder in the Women’s T20I Player Rankings, Matthews played a crucial role in thwarting the home side with powerful batting displays and key wickets, earning her the Player of the Series award.
Despite losing the first T20I in North Sydney by eight wickets, Matthews showcased her batting prowess by scoring an unbeaten 99 and also taking the prized wicket of Alyssa Healy during Australia’s response.
In the next match, Matthews delivered her best performance, smashing an incredible 132 not out in 64 balls, including 20 fours and five sixes. This remarkable innings led to a stunning victory as West Indies successfully chased 213. Matthews also made significant contributions with the ball, claiming the wickets of Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, and Annabel Sutherland during Australia’s innings. In the final fixture of the series, she added another half-century (79), concluding the month with a total of 310 runs in the series at an outstanding average of 155. Matthews' all-round excellence played a pivotal role in West Indies' success against Australia.
“I’m very grateful to have received the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for October. I love pulling on the West Indies jersey. Every time I do wear that maroon and gold, it definitely adds an extra layer where you can go out there and perform well.”
“Not only for yourself and for the team, but in knowing how much cricket means to the people of the Caribbean and how much it can bring people together. It was pretty special going out there in Australia and being able to perform the way that I did, but knowing how many people’s faces I was able to put a smile on back home in the Caribbean, that’s what means the most to me,” said Hayley.
(With Agency Inputs)
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