Sri Lanka’s Wellalage and Samarawickrama Make History with ICC Player of the Month Awards
Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage and Harshitha Samarawickrama have etched their names in cricket history by becoming the first pair of players from the same country to win the ICC Players of the Month awards for the same month. This remarkable achievement comes after Wellalage’s stellar performance in the ODI series against India and Samarawickrama’s impressive tour of Ireland.
Wellalage, a 31-year-old left-hander, played a pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s 2-0 series victory over India. He showcased his all-round abilities, scoring 67 not out, 39, and two while also claiming seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the third match. His Player of the Series performance earned him the coveted monthly award ahead of South Africa’s Keshav Maharaj and West Indies’ Jayden Seales.
Samarawickrama, a 26-year-old left-hander, enjoyed a prolific tour of Ireland. She became only the third Sri Lankan woman to score an ODI century, amassing 151 runs in two T20Is and 172 runs in three ODIs. Her match-winning 86 not out off 45 balls in the first T20I and her 105 in the second ODI were instrumental in Sri Lanka’s success.
This double honor for Sri Lanka is a testament to the country’s rising cricketing talent. Wellalage’s award marks the fifth time a Sri Lankan player has won the men’s award, while Samarawickrama is only the second Sri Lankan woman to receive the recognition.
Wellalage expressed his gratitude for the award, stating that it provides him with immense satisfaction and motivation to continue excelling. Samarawickrama echoed his sentiments, emphasizing that the recognition is particularly significant ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The ICC Players of the Month awards recognize outstanding performances by cricketers across all formats of the game. The awards are based on a combination of factors, including match impact, player ratings, and overall performance.
