- By Himanshu Badola
- Mon, 11 Dec 2023 04:03 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Australia's World Cup-winning star batter Travis Head has been adjudged as the Player of the Month for November 2023 for his consistent performances during the month.
Head beat tough competition from teammate Glenn Maxwell and India seamer Mohammed Shami to take the honor home.
Maxwell smashed a remarkable double century against Afghanistan in the ODI World Cup 2023 in India whereas Shami had a memorable campaign as well and finished the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.
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But it was Head's 220 ODI runs during the month of November - that with the help of a half-century and a century - that proved the difference, with the left-hander winning his first Player of the Month award.
The 29-year-old paid tribute to his teammates for their help in his journey over the last year.
“It’s been an incredible 12 months for the team which it has been a real privilege to be a part of. The way we have navigated a home summer, away trips to India, England, South Africa, India, and the World Cup has been a great credit to Pat, the players, and the staff," Head said.
“I was fortunate that they kept the faith in me for the World Cup after breaking my hand, so it was a great opportunity for me to pay them back. I felt the World Cup was amongst the best I have ever batted, so maybe having a rest before every campaign is the key.
Head wasn't part of the team in the early part of the World Cup as he was recovering from his finger injury but made the most of the chances he got towards the crucial juncture of the tournament.
“It’s a great honor to be recognised with this award, but it is a team effort. Without my team-mates across all formats, this wouldn’t have happened; so these types of awards are as much for them as they are for me.”
In the semi-final match against South Africa, he picked up crucial wickets of Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen to help his team restrict the Proteas to a modest total.
He then played magnificent innings in the run chase that turned out to be a tense one, smashing an aggressive 62 from 48.
In the final against India in Ahmedabad, he changed the course of the game with a stunning catch of skipper Rohit Sharma.
Then in a chase of 241, he smashed a brilliant 137 from 120 balls on the back of 15 fours and four sixes to help Australia win the game by six wickets.
Nahida Akter won in women's category
Bangladesh’s slow left-arm spinner Nahida Akter has been announced as the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for November as she became the first player from the country to claim the award.
Akter beat compatriot Fargana Hoque and Pakistan spinner Sadia Iqbal to win the award and she mentioned it as a cherishing moment.
“This is a moment to cherish," Akter said.
"To be recognised by such a distinguished panel of cricket experts means a lot and winning the ICC Women Player of the Month award will be a massive source of inspiration and motivation for me.
Akter was key in helping her team set up an important series win for Bangladesh during November as she took seven ODI wickets at an average of 14.14 and was adjudged as the Player of the Series.
“We have played some amazing cricket in recent months and I am so happy to have contributed to the successes we have tasted as a team. I must thank my captain, coaches, and teammates for always believing in me and that has allowed me to play my natural game against quality opponents and perform under pressure.”
The sensational youngster is already the highest wicket-taker for Bangladesh in T20Is and the third-highest for them in ODI cricket.
