Mohammed Siraj and Prendergast named ICC Players of the Month

Mohammed Siraj and Orla Prendergast were named ICC Players of the Month for August after stellar performances, helping India and Ireland secure key victories in Test and T20I series

Hyderabad: Mohammed Siraj of India and Orla Prendergast of Ireland were on Monday named ICC Players of the Month for August after playing stellar roles in their teams’ memorable victories over the month.

Siraj’s superb match-winning effort on the final day of the Test series against England, which helped India win The Oval Test by six runs, earned him the award ahead of other fast bowlers Matt Henry of New Zealand and Jayden Seales of the West Indies.

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Siraj took three wickets on the dramatic final morning of the fifth Test to finish with nine wickets in the match, including four for 86 in the first innings and five for 104 in the second. India drew the series 2-2.

Reacting to the award, Siraj credited his teammates and team staff for helping bring out the best in him. “I am proud that I could contribute with some important spells, especially in decisive moments. Bowling against a top batting line-up in their home conditions was challenging, but it also brought out the best in me,” he said.

“This award belongs as much to my teammates and the support staff as it does to me, because their constant encouragement and belief kept me going. I will continue to work hard and give my best every time I wear the India jersey,” he added.

Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast won the award ahead of Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Muneeba Ali and the Netherlands’ seam bowler Iris Zwilling.

Prendergast was named Player of the Series in a home T20I series, helping Ireland win 2-1 against Pakistan. She scored 144 runs and took four wickets in that series and maintained her fine form in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier, aggregating 244 runs and finishing with seven wickets in August.

Orla Prendergast expressed delight at receiving the award. “I’d like to extend my thanks to the ICC and everyone who voted for me. I also acknowledge my teammates and our support staff, who worked hard all summer to achieve important series wins,” she said.