Jonny Bairstow named ICC Men's Player of the Month for June 2022

England batter Jonny Bairstow has capped off his tremendous recent run of form by being voted ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June 2022. Bairstow defeated England team-mate Joe Root and New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell for the coveted monthly award after the veteran scored brilliant centuries in consecutive matches against New Zealand.

Despite a slow start in the opening match of the three-game series, Bairstow produced a match-winning knock of 136 on the final day of the second Test in Nottingham to help England chase down 299 for victory. It was the second-fastest century ever scored by an English player in Test cricket and the 32-year-old backed that up with knocks of 162 and 71* in the final Test of the series in Leeds to help his side clinch another thrilling victory and an emphatic series sweep.

Bairstow hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down either, as he hit back-to-back centuries during the rescheduled fifth and final Test against India in Birmingham at the start of this month to help England to more valuable World Test Championship points.

It has been a positive start to our summer: Jonny Bairstow

It’s been a remarkable run of form of late for Bairstow, and the right-hander was thrilled to accept the award. “I would like to thank the fans for voting for me as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month,” Bairstow said.

“It has been an incredible five weeks for England. It has been a positive start to our summer with four excellent wins against high-class opposition in New Zealand and India. We are enjoying our cricket as a team and playing with clarity and positivity. Even though I have scored four centuries in this period, I would like to acknowledge my teammates who have been excellent in every department and playing with immense confidence.”

Former Sri Lanka international and ICC Player of the Month voting panel member Farveez Maharoof said Bairstow was a worthy winner for June.

“Jonny played the pivotal role of the aggressor and was instrumental in winning the series for England with his counter-attacking knock which changed the complexion of the series against the World Test Champions. These kinds of players are special in Test cricket, and in my opinion, he fully deserves this recognition.”