Dunith Wellalage and Samarawickrama Named ICC Players of the Month for August 2024

In a remarkable achievement for Sri Lankan cricket, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Dunith Wellalage and Harshitha Samarawickrama have been named the ICC Players of the Month for August 2024. This rare double victory marks a significant milestone for Sri Lanka in international cricket.

Previous Double Wins

This is only the second instance in ICC history where players from the same country have won both the men’s and women’s awards in the same month. The previous occurrence was in June 2024, when India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana achieved this feat.

Dunith Wellalage: Rising Star in Men’s Cricket

Triumph Over Strong Contenders

Wellalage’s victory in the men’s category came against stiff competition. He edged out South African spinner Keshav Maharaj and West Indies fast bowler Jayden Seales, who were also shortlisted for the award.

Outstanding Performance Against India

The 31-year-old left-hander secured the award following his exceptional performance in a home One Day International (ODI) series against India. Wellalage’s all-round brilliance was instrumental in Sri Lanka’s 2-0 series victory. His contributions included:

• Batting performances: Scores of 67 not out, 39, and 2
• Bowling prowess: A total of 7 wickets in the series
• Standout moment: A five-wicket haul (5/27) in the third match

Sri Lanka’s Growing Presence in ICC Awards

Wellalage’s win marks the fifth time a Sri Lankan player has claimed the men’s monthly award. Previous winners include:

1. Angelo Mathews (May 2022)
2. Prabath Jayasuriya (July 2022)
3. Wanindu Hasaranga (June 2023)
4. Kamindu Mendis (March 2024)

Harshitha Samarawickrama: Trailblazer in Women’s Cricket

Exceptional Tour of Ireland

Samarawickrama’s stellar performances on the tour of Ireland set her apart from other contenders. She narrowly beat out Irish players Orla Prendergast and Gaby Lewis for the award.

T20I Brilliance

In the Twenty20 International (T20I) series in Dublin, Samarawickrama showcased her batting prowess:

• Total runs: 151 in two matches
• Impressive strike rate: 169.66
• Highlight: A match-winning 86 not out off 45 balls in the first T20I

ODI Mastery

Samarawickrama continued her form in the One Day International (ODI) series in Belfast:

• Aggregate runs: 172 in three matches
• Strike rate: 82.69
• Historic achievement: Scored 105 in the second ODI, becoming only the third Sri Lankan woman to score a century in ODIs

Samarawickrama’s Growing Legacy

This win establishes Samarawickrama as only the second Sri Lankan woman to receive the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award. Captain Chamari Athapaththu holds the distinction of winning it three times (September 2024, May 2024, and July 2024).