• Source:JND
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Australia's spin bowling all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner and England's seamer Chris Woakes have been honored as the International Cricket Council (ICC) Players of the Month for July 2023. In an exceptional feat, the 26-year-old Gardner secured her fourth ICC Women's Player of the Month award, a historic back-to-back win.

Her remarkable performances against England and Ireland in July earned her this distinction, surpassing the achievements of her fellow nominees Nat Sciver-Brunt and compatriot Ellyse Perry.

On the men's side, Chris Woakes clinched the ICC Men's Player of the Month title due to his impactful contributions with the ball. His instrumental role in helping England stage a comeback and level the Ashes series after being down 2-0 was pivotal to his recognition.

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The ICC announced that the winners were chosen through a combination of votes from global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and an expert panel consisting of ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

Gardner, building on her June award, maintained her exceptional form throughout July. Notably, she excelled in the shorter formats, contributing a total of 232 runs with the bat and claiming 15 wickets with the ball in the eight ODI and T20I matches she participated in during the month. Her performance during the Ashes series, where she provided crucial runs in the middle order and took three wickets in each of the ODIs, stood out as a testament to her all-round abilities. She continued to shine in the ODI series against Ireland, contributing with both bat and ball.

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In contrast, Woakes achieved the ICC Men's Player of the Month distinction for the first time. His significant role in England's Test team during the Ashes series was a driving force behind their 2-2 draw, achieved amidst intense drama. Despite his memorable contribution of hitting the winning runs in Leeds, it was his impressive tally of 19 wickets in three Ashes Tests, at an outstanding average of 18.15, that truly showcased his impact on the series. He secured this award over fellow nominee Zak Crawley and all-rounder Bas de Leede, who played a key role in the Netherlands' successful qualification for the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup in India.