ICC have revealed the nominees for the ICC Men's Player of the Month for January 2024.
Shamar Joseph, the West Indies fast bowler who made a stylish entrance onto the international cricket stage, is among the contenders. Also in the running for the ICC Men's Player of the Month Award for January 2024 are Ollie Pope, England's vice-captain, and Josh Hazlewood from Australia.
Shamar Joseph (West Indies)
The right-arm bowler left a lasting impression during his debut in Test cricket, securing the prized wicket of Australian batter Steve Smith with his very first delivery.
Joseph went on to claim another four wickets against Australia, achieving remarkable figures of 5-94 in his debut match in Adelaide. In addition to his bowling prowess, he contributed decent scores of 36 and 15 while batting at No.11 for his team.
Joseph's outstanding performance continued in the second Test in Brisbane, where he played a crucial role in the West Indies' unexpected victory over Australia. He delivered a spell for the ages, collecting remarkable figures of 7-68. This remarkable achievement marked the Caribbean side's first Test triumph in Australia since 1997.
After two Tests, Joseph has accumulated 57 runs at a respectable batting average of 28.50. Furthermore, he has taken 13 wickets with an impressive bowling average of 17.30.
Ollie Pope (England)
The right-handed batter delivered an exceptional performance, scoring a splendid 196 for England in the second innings of their surprising triumph over India in the Hyderabad Test last week.
Pope only scored one run in the first innings, as India dominated the initial phases of the match. Even when the England No.3 came to the crease just before lunch on the third day of the captivating contest, the hosts were still in control.
While wickets continued to fall at the other end, Pope stood firm, achieving his highest Test score away from home. This innings marked the fourth-largest Test score by an English male player in India.
Josh Hazlewood (Australia)
The Aussie pacer showcased the best performance during ICC World Test Championship action in January by claiming a total of 19 wickets at an impressive average of just 11.63.
Hazlewood's exceptional month began with a pivotal four-wicket haul in the second innings at the SCG, helping Australia secure a 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan. He continued his stellar form by taking nine wickets in total during the match against the West Indies in Adelaide, reaffirming Australia's status as the reigning World Test Championship winners.
In the second Test against the West Indies at the Gabba, Hazlewood added another five wickets to his tally, concluding a remarkable January for the experienced Australian seamer.
- Shamar Joseph
