ICC: Rachin Ravindra, Hayley Matthews crowned ICC Players of the Month for October

Rachin Ravindra, Hayley Matthews crowned ICC Players of the Month for October: Rachin Ravindra of New Zealand wins his first ICC Men’s Player of the Month award after a string of memorable knocks during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India’s group stages.

Hayley Matthews of the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for October leads the way with brilliant individual performances during the West Indies’ short format matches in Australia.

The 23-year-old Blackcaps hitter Ravindra was unstoppable in the early going of New Zealand’s World Cup campaign.

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Even though he had only played in 12 ODIs before to the event, Ravindra made waves by hitting an incredible 123 not out in their nine-wicket triumph against the reigning champions, England, in Ahmedabad on the opening day of the competition.

His next century came in the thrilling match against Australia at Dharamsala, where he blasted 116 in 89 balls and brought New Zealand within touching distance of a mammoth 389 target before ultimately falling five runs short.

He continued to simmer away with stylish half-centuries against Netherlands (51) and India (75). Ravindra played six matches in October and scored 406 runs at an average of 81.20.

After dominating in her team’s T20I series against the reigning world champions Australia, Hayley Matthews wins her second ICC Women’s Player of the Month title.

On her path to winning Player of the Series, the top-ranked all-rounder in the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings continuously hindered the home team with potent hitting and crucial wickets.

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Even though Australia lost the opening match in North Sydney by eight wickets, captain Matthews scored an undefeated 99 at the top of the order and also claimed the valuable wicket of Alyssa Healy in the reply.

Matthews then produced what was possibly her best performance of the game, smashing 132 not out in 64 balls (20 fours and five sixes) to secure an impressive victory after taking Australia’s innings leading to the wickets of Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, and Annabel Sutherland. Matthews was facing a daunting 213 for victory.

The captain scored another half-century (79) in the last game, capping the month with 310 runs at an average of 155 in the series.

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After voting from fans worldwide who registered on icc-cricket.com and a team of experts made up of media representatives, past international players, and members of the ICC Hall of Fame, Ravindra and Matthews were declared the winners.

Reacting to his award win, Ravindra commented, “I’m very grateful to win this award. It’s been a special month personally and for the team. Being able to play a World Cup in India has been incredibly special.

“Being backed by the team helps a lot, as well as being able to go out there with a lot of freedom and play your natural game. The lucky thing is that the wickets have been really nice to bat on, which suits my game in terms of being positive and taking the game on.”

“It was pretty special going out there in Australia and being able to perform the way that I did, but knowing how many people’s faces I was able to put a smile on back home in the Caribbean, that’s what means the most to me.”

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