The International Cricket Council, on Monday (August 8), named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2022. Last week, the apex body of the game had announced that England’s Jonny Bairstow, Sri Lanka’s Prabath Jayasuriya and France’s Gustav McKeon were the nominees for the award after putting up stunning performances in July.
And Jayasuriya has defeated Bairstow and McKeon for the coveted monthly award after a brilliant start to international cricket in the longest format. The left-arm spinner has grabbed everyone’s attention with his sensational displays at home. Jayasuriya was the hero for Sri Lanka as they drew the Test series at home against Australia and Pakistan to remain in contention for a place in the final of the ICC World Test Championship.
He proved his worth in his very Test by registering stunning figures of 6/118 and 6/59, helping Sri Lanka defeat Australia by an innings and 39 runs in Galle. He continued his form against Pakistan too. While Sri Lanka lost the first Test, Jayasuriya made his mark with figures of 5/82 and 4/135.
In the second Test, he claimed his fourth five-wicket haul in only three Test matches. After taking 3 wickets in the first innings, he picked up 5 for 117 in the second innings, helping Sri Lanka to a 246-run series-levelling win. The 30-year old now has four five-wicket hauls in six innings.
Prabath Jayasuriya delighted after winning the ICC Men’s Player of the Month For July 2022:
Prabath Jayasuriya was delighted after winning the prestigious award and thanked the fans for voting for him. He also spoke about the incredible month he enjoyed in Test cricket.
“I am delighted with this announcement, and wish to thank the fans for voting me as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month,” Jayasuriya said after winning the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award.
“Certainly it has been an incredible month for me, as I made the Test debut, and also got the opportunity to contribute for my team to level the Test series played against Australia and Pakistan. I take this opportunity to thank my fans, team-mates, coaches, family and friends for helping my journey, and thrilled with what I am experiencing at this moment in my life,” he added.