ICC Player of the Month (January 2023): Gill, Siraj nominated
Indian ace Shubman Gill has been nominated for ICC Men's Player of the Month for January 2023. The opening batter smacked a record-breaking ODI double ton against New Zealand. He is joined by seamer Mohammed Siraj and New Zealand's Devon Conway. In the women's category, England's Under-19 sensation Grace Scrivens will compete for the honor alongside the Australian duo Beth Mooney and Phoebe Litchfield.
Gill makes a commanding start to 2023
Gill had a quiet run in the Sri Lanka T20Is before he unleashed himself in 50-over cricket. He slammed 70, 21, and 116. The 23-year-old followed with a scintillating double-ton (149-ball 208) in the New Zealand ODIs, becoming the youngest to do so. He ended up compiling 360 runs in the series. He started February with a 63-ball 126* against NZ in T20Is.
Siraj ran riot in 50-overs cricket
Siraj was all over his rivals in ODIs played last month. The right-arm quick picked 14 wickets in five outings, trumping both Avishka Fernando (thrice) and Kusal Mendis (twice) on multiple occasions in this interval. His best figures read 4/32 against Sri Lanka in the third ODI. Siraj eventually rose to the number one spot among bowlers in men's ODIs.
Conway dazzles on Pakistan, India tours
Conway started the year with a hundred (122) against Pakistan in the second and final Test. He struck a hundred each in the ODI series against Pakistan and India, including a gutsy 138 in Indore. The southpaw extended his rich form to clock a match-winning 35-ball 52 in the first of three-match T20Is against India in Ranchi.
Scrivens shines in ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup
Scrivens piloted England to the final of the inaugural ICC U-19 Women's T20 World Cup. She amassed 293 runs (50s: 3) and also claimed nine wickets. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Litchfield was a class act for Australia in the Pakistan ODIs. She hoarded 154 runs in three matches, including 78* on debut. Her compatriot, Mooney, compiled 191 runs that comprised a hundred in the third ODI.
