On February 5, the Cricket Governing Body announced the nominations for the Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month Awards for January 2024. English bater Ollie Pope, who memorably scored 196 against India in his first Test match, is one of three nominees for the prestigious prize. Pope’s 196-run knock in the second innings of the Hyderabad Test was a game-changer after India had gained a 190-run lead in the first innings. The top-order English batter delivered a spectacular knock, as the other batsmen struggled against India’s formidable spin attack.
The English batter faces competition for the monthly award from fast bowlers Josh Hazlewood and Shamar Joseph. The Australian bowler claimed 19 wickets in six Test innings in January and was the leading wicket-taker in last month’s two-match Test series against the West Indies. Shamar Joseph dominated the headlines in January after a fantastic start to his Test career.
The right-arm bowler dismissed Steve Smith with his debut delivery in international cricket during the first Test in Adelaide and went on to take five wickets. Shamar’s best effort, however, came in the second match at Gabba, when he claimed seven wickets in the second innings to win the game and tie the two-match series. Shamar was named Player of the Series after taking 13 wickets to help the West Indies end their Test winless streak against Australia.
Woman’s nomination for Player of the MonthÂ
Three nominees for the Women’s Player of the Month for January 24 include Australia’s Beth Mooney and Alyssa Healy, as well as young Irish wicketkeeper batter Amy Hunter. Amy Hunter, 18, scored 101* and 77* against Zimbabwe Women in a five-match T20I series last month, making her the youngest player, male or female, to reach a century in both ODIs and T20Is.
Mooney had a successful month in T20I cricket, scoring 256 runs at an average of 64 and a strike rate of more than 100, as she helped Australia win two series. A pair of solid innings at home against South Africa rounded out a fantastic January for Healy, who finished the month with 174 T20I runs at an average of 29 and a magnificent 82 in her first ODI at the start of the month.
