Kamindu Mendis and Maia Bouchier clinch ICC Player of the Month awards for March 2024

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the winners of the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month awards for March 2024 on Monday, April 8.

Sri Lanka’s newest batting sensation, Kamindu Mendis, earned the honor of being named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month after his remarkable performance in the recent Test series against Bangladesh. It was his maiden ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.

Mendis smashed twin centuries in the first Test to help Sri Lanka crush the hosts, Bangladesh, by 328 runs last month. He made 102 runs off 127 balls in the first innings, followed by a magnificent innings of 164 runs off 237 balls, and he became the first player batting at number seven or lower to score two centuries in a single Test match.

Kamindu Mendis expresses elation after being named the ICC Men's Player of the Month

He was also impressive on the second Test, scoring an unbeaten 92 runs off 167 balls laced with seven fours and two maximums to help the Islanders win the second and final Test by 192 runs to whitewash Bangladesh in their own backyard.

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Kamindu Mendis stated in an ICC press release: “I am extremely happy to be named the ICC Men's Player of the Month, which I consider an inspiration for my international career. A recognition such as this motivates and makes us as players work more and more to deliver in the middle for the team, country, and fans.”

Mendis added, “I also wish the very best for the other two players who were nominated along with me, Mark Adair and Matt Henry, whom I consider excellent players and good competitors.”

Meanwhile, England Women’s star Maia Bouchier was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for her outstanding performances in the T20I series against New Zealand in March.

The 25-year-old batter amassed 223 runs at an average of 55.75 in the five T20I matches to help England secure a memorable 4-1 series win against the White Ferns.

I am so happy and grateful to everyone: Maia Bouchier

Maia Bouchier stated on receiving the honor: “First of all, thank you to everyone who voted for me. I am so happy and grateful to everyone: my family and partner and the staff and my teammates who have supported me whilst playing at the international level.”

Bouchier signed off by saying, “I am so honored to have won this award and I hope there are many more to come. It's been such an amazing couple of months, from training through the winter with my coaches at home and transferring what I've been working on into this series, so I am really glad I have been able to perform for the team.”

Notably, Mendis and Bouchier won the Player of the Month award for March 2024 through voting on icc-cricket.com by fans and a special panel consisting of ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and representatives from the media.

Mendis, in the men's category, outshined Ireland’s Mark Adair and New Zealand’s Matt Henry to clinch the award for his exceptional performances in Test cricket.

On the other hand, Bouchier secured the award in the women's category by defeating New Zealand's Amelia Kerr and Australia's Ashleigh Gardner.