Is Smriti Mandhana the Next ICC Women's Player of the Month for May?

Synopsis
Smriti Mandhana's nomination for the ICC Women's Player of the Month for May highlights her outstanding performance in the ODI tri-series. With stiff competition from Hayley Matthews and Chloe Tryon, the race for this prestigious title is intense. Delve into the details of their remarkable achievements in this captivating cricket narrative.
Key Takeaways
- Smriti Mandhana nominated for ICC Women’s Player of the Month.
- Impressive performance with 204 runs in May.
- Strong competition from Hayley Matthews and Chloe Tryon.
- Significant contributions from male nominees as well.
- Highlights the growth of women’s cricket.
Dubai, June 3 (NationPress) India’s vice-captain Smriti Mandhana has received a nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for May, thanks to her impressive performance in the ODI tri-series held in Sri Lanka last month. Joining her in the women’s category are West Indies captain Hayley Matthews and South African all-rounder Chloe Tryon, both recognized for their exceptional contributions in limited-overs cricket.
In the men’s category, all-rounders Brendon McMullen from Scotland, Milind Kumar from the USA, and Muhammad Waseem from the United Arab Emirates have also been nominated for their outstanding displays in white-ball formats.
During the tri-series, Mandhana accumulated 204 runs across three matches, which included a crucial 44 runs in the final against the hosts. Her top performance came with a remarkable 123 off 101 balls against South Africa, significantly aiding India in their triumph in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the West Indies’ Matthews, currently ranked No. 1 all-rounder in T20Is and second in ODIs, made her mark by scoring 48 runs and taking two wickets in the first ODI against England at Derby. Earlier, she was recognized as the Player of the Series in a preceding T20I series, where she amassed 177 runs with a striking rate exceeding 137.
South Africa’s Tryon delivered a performance worth noting, scoring 176 runs at a strike rate of 131.34 in three ODIs while claiming six wickets in the Sri Lanka tri-series. Her bowling highlight included a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka, featuring a hat-trick.
On the men’s side, McMullen, aged 25, excelled with 233 runs and 10 wickets in five ODIs. His impressive run included two half-centuries against the UAE and a stellar performance of 101 runs and four wickets against the Netherlands.
Off-spinner Milind Kumar also made the shortlist with 201 runs at a strike rate of 116.86 and nine wickets. A standout match for him was scoring 115 not out off just 67 balls against Canada.
Muhammad Waseem impressed in both ODIs and T20Is, scoring 169 runs in five ODIs and being named Player of the Series in a T20I series against Bangladesh.