Who are the ICC Men’s Player of the Month nominees for December?
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Key Takeaways
Dubai, Jan 8 (NationPress) The contenders for the Men’s Player of the Month accolade include three exceptional talents: Justin Greaves from the West Indies, Jacob Duffy of New Zealand, and Mitchell Starc from Australia. Each of these players has notably influenced the game with both bat and ball during a hectic month of cricket.
West Indies all-rounder Greaves enjoyed a stellar month while playing in New Zealand, accumulating 283 runs at an impressive average of 56.60 across three Test matches. His standout moment came in the first Test at Christchurch, where he achieved an unbeaten 202 in the fourth innings, crucially saving the match and aiding his team in securing a draw. In addition, Greaves made significant contributions with the ball, claiming five wickets and stepping up during key moments.
New Zealand's fast bowler Duffy was the top wicket-taker in the home Test series against the West Indies, securing 23 wickets at a remarkable average of 15.43 over three matches. His efforts were instrumental in New Zealand's 2-0 series victory, where he consistently challenged opposing batters with his swing and accuracy. His outstanding performance earned him the Player of the Series title, underscoring his critical role in the Black Caps' triumph.
Duffy's impressive showing in late 2025 made him New Zealand's leading wicket-taker across all formats in a calendar year, amassing 81 wickets and surpassing the previous record of 79 wickets set by Richard Hadlee in 1985.
Starc, the left-arm fast bowler for Australia, played a pivotal role in the December Ashes series, taking 16 wickets and contributing 139 runs over three Test matches.
He was recognized as the Player of the Match in the second Ashes Test, where he scored 77 runs and captured eight wickets, significantly aiding Australia’s victory. In the first innings, he recorded impressive figures of 6/75, consistently providing early breakthroughs for his team.
Moreover, Starc had a notable impact with the bat, scoring 54 runs and taking four wickets in the decisive third Test in Adelaide, where Australia clinched the series. His combination of game-winning bowling and crucial lower-order runs was vital in Australia reclaiming the Ashes urn.