(Web Desk) – Australia pacer Mitchell Starc has won the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award, following a series of sterling performances that saw him edge out strong competition.
Starc, who was named Player of the Series in Australia’s 4-1 Ashes victory, claimed 16 wickets at an average of 21.25 in December, while also scoring 139 runs across three Tests during the month.
The standout performance was a Player of the Match effort in the second Test in Brisbane, where he finished with eight wickets and struck a vital 77. He also contributed a useful 54 in the series-deciding Test in Adelaide.
Starc won the award ahead of New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy and West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves.
Mitchell Starc said: “It’s an honour to be named the ICC Player of the Month, and even more special that it came on the back of such a successful home Ashes. To have played a part in winning such an iconic series in front of our home crowd is something we will all relish for a long time.
“As a team we’ve had some outstanding performances in the last few years. The focus now is on building that momentum towards a place in next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final.”