Dubai: India pacer Mohammed Siraj has been nominated for the ICC Player of the Month Award for August, following his match-winning performance in the fifth and final Test of England’s tour. He joins New Zealand’s Matt Henry and West Indies’ Jayden Seales in contention.
In a series disrupted by injuries on both sides, Siraj featured in all five Tests and emerged as the leading wicket-taker with 23 scalps. Across 185.3 overs, he helped a young and inexperienced Indian side secure a 2-2 draw, maintaining remarkable consistency throughout.
“Mohammed Siraj played just one match in August, but his brilliance in that outing earned him this nomination. The India pacer was pivotal in the final Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy at The Oval, taking nine wickets at an average of 21.11,” the ICC said.
“With Jasprit Bumrah absent, Siraj led the attack with determination, bowling over 46 overs across two innings. He claimed four wickets in the first innings and a five-wicket haul in the second, driving India to victory and securing a 2-2 series draw. His performance earned him the Player of the Match award,” the ICC added.
New Zealand’s Matt Henry was recognized for his dominant display in the Kiwis’ 2-0 Test series win over Zimbabwe, taking 16 wickets at an astonishing average of 9.12. Henry recorded figures of 6/39 and 3/51 in the first Test, followed by 5/40 and 2/16 in the second.
West Indies’ Jayden Seales earned his nomination for a “pivotal role” in the Caribbean side’s first ODI series win over Pakistan in 34 years. He claimed 10 wickets in three matches, including a career-best 6/18 in the final ODI, which restricted Pakistan to just 92 while chasing 295.
“After a quiet start in the first ODI, Seales bounced back with three wickets in the second match, including key dismissals of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub. His lethal 6/18 in the third ODI — the third-best figures by a West Indies bowler in ODI history — sealed the series emphatically,” the ICC noted.
