Starc, Wolvaardt named ICC players of the month

Australia’s Mitchell Starc and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt have been named ICC Players of the Month for December after standout performances in the Ashes and Ireland series. Starc took 16 wickets and scored crucial runs, including a match-winning 77 in Brisbane, while Wolvaardt struck three centuries across ODIs and T20Is, amassing nearly 400 runs.

Hyderabad: Australia pace bowler Mitchell Starc and South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt have won the ICC Player of the Month awards for men and women, respectively, following a series of sterling performances that saw them edge out strong competition.

Starc, who was named Player of the Series in Australia’s 4-1 Ashes victory, claimed 16 wickets at an average of 21.25 in December, while also scoring 139 runs across three Tests during the month.

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The standout performance was a Player of the Match effort in the second Test in Brisbane, where he finished with eight wickets and struck a vital 77. He also contributed a useful 54 in the series-deciding Test in Adelaide.

Starc won the award ahead of New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy and West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves.

Mitchell Starc said: “It’s an honour to be named the ICC Player of the Month, and even more special that it came on the back of such a successful home Ashes. To have played a part in winning such an iconic series in front of our home crowd is something we will all relish for a long time.

“As a team we’ve had some outstanding performances in the last few years. The focus now is on building that momentum towards a place in next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final.”

Wolvaardt amassed 255 runs at a strike rate of 111.84 in three ODIs in the home series against Ireland, while also scoring 137 runs in two T20Is at a remarkable strike rate of 190.27. She excelled at the top of the order across both formats, registering three centuries.

Wolvaardt was named Player of the Series in the ODIs after scores of 124 and 100 not out in the final two matches, having earlier smashed an unbeaten 115 in the opening T20I. She edged out teammate Sune Luus and India opener Shafali Verma to win her second ICC Player of the Month award in three months.

Laura Wolvaardt said: “I’m delighted to be named the ICC Player of the Month once again. To win it two times in three months is very special and something I’ll cherish for a long time. I loved batting throughout Ireland’s tour of South Africa, and it was hugely rewarding to contribute with runs across both the ODI and T20I formats.

“With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, my focus is firmly on carrying this momentum forward. We’ve shown real progress in recent ICC events, and I’m excited about the summer ahead in England and Wales. I hope to continue playing my part and help take the team all the way.”