2024-04-09 17:36:44
For the first time, Kamindu Mendis won the award after being shortlisted for the ‘ICC Player of the Month’.
Kamindu was the cause of ‘headache’ in the two Tests against Bangladesh. After scoring a century in two innings in the Sylhet Test, he played a ninety-touch innings in Chittagong. He won the series best award while in Bangladesh. Now the ICC has recognized him. The 25-year-old cricketer was selected as the ICC Player of the Month for March. Apart from this, England’s Maia Bushey became the champion in women’s cricket.
Their names were announced on the ICC website on Monday.
Along with Kamindu Mendis, Ireland’s Mark Adair and New Zealand’s Matt Henry were on the shortlist. Leaving both of them behind, Kamindu got the prize of excellence. Mendis became the third Sri Lankan male cricketer to receive this recognition. Earlier, Prabath Jayasuriya and Wanindu Hasaranga received this award.
Kamindu played in the T20 series against Bangladesh in early March. Scored 19, 37 and 12 respectively in three matches. He ran the Test series in his own way. He scored 102 runs in the first innings in Sylhet. His innings of 164 runs came from his bat in the second innings. Later, the left-hander remained unbeaten on 92 runs in the first innings of the second Test in Chittagong. That’s why he won the best of the month award.
Kamindu Mendis sees this ICC award as motivation for the future, ‘I am very happy to be the ICC Player of the Month. I see this award as an inspiration for my international career.’
Meanwhile, in women’s cricket, England’s Bushie was the best in the performance of the T20 series against New Zealand. The 25-year-old batsman scored 223 runs at an average of 55.75 in 5 T20Is.