ICC Women's Player of the Month for June crowned
Cricket
She cemented her reputation with an exceptional performance in ODI series against SA
(Web Desk) -After a stellar run across three ODIs and a Test match on home soil, one of India's best has claimed ICC Women's Player of the Month honours.
India’s Smriti Mandhana has won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award for June, beating out England’s Maia Bouchier and Sri Lanka’s Vishmi Gunaratne for the accolade, the first of such in her international career.
Regarded as one of the best top-order players in the world, the 27-year-old cemented her reputation with an exceptional run across India's clean sweep ODI series win over South Africa in Bengaluru, before a stellar Test match in Chennai against the same opponent.
Almost unstoppable with blade in hand, the left-hander made centuries in the first two ODIs, compiling 113 and 136, before another score of 90 in match three.
After her efforts against the white ball, Mandhana turned her attention to the red-ball game, setting up India’s Test victory over the Proteas alongside fellow opener Shafali Verma.
The pair put on 292 for the first wicket in India’s innings, with Mandhana finishing with 149 from just 161 deliveries as the hosts piled on 603/6 declared in the first innings. Despite some Proteas resistance, the hosts went on to claim the Test match during the third session of day four, eventually winning by 10 wickets.
Upon receiving the award, Mandhana discussed her desire to continue in the same vein, contributing to team success.
"I'm glad to be named ICC Women's Player of the Month for the month of June.
"I'm really happy with the way I think the team has performed and I'm happy to contribute for us, winning the ODI and the Test series.
"Hopefully we can continue our form, and I can even further contribute to win matches for India."
