Gudakesh Motie and Chamari Athapaththu bag ICC Players award for May month

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has today revealed the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for May 2024 as Gudakesh Motie of the West Indies and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka.

Left-arm spinner Motie was inspirational as the West Indies enjoyed a promising build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 with a convincing series win over touring South Africa, while Sri Lankan skipper Athapaththu celebrates her second ICC Women’s Player of the Month after starring in her side’s surge to qualification for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh later this year.

ICC Men’s Player of the Month Motie wins the accolade for the very first time and claims the award following impressive wicket-taking exploits in the West Indies T20I series triumph. The 29-year-old becomes the second West Indies winner of the men’s prize, following in the footsteps of teammate Shamar Joseph who was crowned back in January. During May, Motie took eight wickets at an average of 8.50 across the three-match series in Jamaica, as the islanders gathered valuable momentum in the lead-up to their T20 World Cup campaign.

Defending a score of 175 in the first contest, Motie played a pivotal part in restricting South Africa’s middle order charge, with his three for 25 including the prized wicket of the dangerous Rassie van der Dussen. With a higher total to defend in the second match, the Guyanese once again hampered a promising South African run chase with career-best figures of three for 22. More success followed in the final outing, with the left-arm spinner exploiting conditions and varying his pace expertly in a spell of two for 21, which heralded a player of the series prize to accompany the series whitewash.

Reacting to his award win, the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for May, Gudakesh Motie, said, “It means a lot to me and I am very happy to win this award. It’s very encouraging, I have put in a lot of work during this season and I am happy that I am seeing the rewards now.

“The standout performance for me during the series against South Africa was the first game, where I took three for 25. The third wicket that night was my favourite.

“Playing in a World Cup means a lot to me, and playing at home in front of our fans and knowing the conditions is also special. We have started strongly, playing three games and getting three wins, and I see us going all the way and lifting that cup on 29 June.”

Having won a raft of awards of late, including the ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year for 2023, Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu continues her spell of scintillating form by claiming the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for May – her second after previously winning in September 2023.

The month heralded plenty of success for the Sri Lanka team, where they cemented their place at this year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in Bangladesh with victory at the Qualifier in Abu Dhabi. Athapaththu topped the run-scoring charts at the event, and capped another fine spell of performances with 151 runs and six wickets in May, culminating in a sublime yet explosive 102 score in 63 balls against fellow finalists Scotland to guide Sri Lanka to the Qualifier trophy.

Continuous recognition at this level keeps me motivated: Athapaththu

ICC Women’s Player of the Month for May, Chamari Athapaththu, said, “I am extremely delighted and honored to once again receive the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award, and wish to mention that continuous recognition at this level keeps me motivated to further up my game and continue the good performance."

"I wish to mention here that, both Kathryn [Bryce] and Sophie [Ecclestone] are also two exceptionally talented players with a proven record and wish them the very best, whilst I thank my teammates for their support given to me in this endeavour."

Motie and Athapaththu won following a vote conducted among global fans registered at icc-cricket.com and a specialist panel comprising ICC Hall of Famers, former international players, and media representatives.

Motie claimed the Men’s award from fellow ICC Men’s T20 World Cup competitors, Pakistan’s Shaheen Shah Afridi and Lorcan Tucker of Ireland, while Athapaththu won the women’s award by overcoming Kathryn Bryce of Scotland and England’s Sophie Ecclestone.