ICC Players of the Month for August: Wellalage, Samarawickrama crowned winners

For the first time in Sri Lankan cricket history two players from their nation gone on to win the ICC player of the month in the same time in men's and women's cricket. In a rare occasion, Dunith Wellalage and Harshitha Samarawickrama won the ICC Player of the month for the month of August 2024, for the excellent peformance in the last month.

Wellalage wins after a stunning series against India

Dunith Wellalage won the award on the back of a Player of the Series performance against India in the ODI series where Sri Lanka won by 2-0, a feat they achieved many years after. The 21-year-old left-handed batter scored 108 runs in the three matches including a valuable unbeaten 67 in the first match and also pickedup seven wickets in the series including a 5/27 in the final match of the series.

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He defeated South Africa spinner Keshav Maharaj and West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales to win the award. He has became the fifth Sri Lankan men's cricketer to win the award after Angelo Mathews (May 2022), Prabath Jayasuriya (July 2022), Wanindu Hasaranga (June 2023) and Kamindu Mendis (March 2024).

“This is great news for me and brings immense satisfaction, as this recognition gives me further strength to continue doing the good work I do as a player and contribute to my team to reach excellence in the field," Wellalage said after recieving the award.

Samarawickrama awarded for her purple patch in Ireland

On the other hand, Harshitha Samarawickrama won the award after a stunning white ball series against Ireland in Ireland. In the T20Is, the 26-year-old left-hander scored 151 runs in two games played in Dublin, with a strike rate of 169.66.

She continuted her form in the ODIs and scored 172 runs in three ODIs at Belfast at a strike rate of 82.60 including her maiden ODI century. In the second ODI, with a knock of 105, she became only the third Sri Lankan woman cricketer to score a century in ODIs.

Samarawickrama went past Orla Prendergast and Gaby Lewis of Ireland to win the award.

"I am extremely happy with this recognition, which I consider a new high in my career. It certainly gives me a lot of confidence ahead of the big competition, the Women's T20 World Cup," Samarawickrama said after winning the award.