Australian skipper named ICC Men’s Player of the Month for Dec 2023

Australia’s champion bowler and captain has been voted the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for December 2023.

The Australian skipper enjoyed a blockbuster 2023 by winning the ICC World Test Championship, ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and retaining the Ashes.

He beat off competition from Bangladesh’s Taijul Islam and New Zealand’s Glenn Phillips to get his hands on the monthly award for the first time in his career.

As a result, the Aussie stronghold on the Men’s Player of the Month continues, with Travis Head emerging victorious in November.

In the first two matches of the three-match Test series at home against Pakistan, Cummins led by example with the ball.

He had a decent start as he picked up three wickets in the opening match in Australia’s win. But it was in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) where Cummins unleashed himself.

Defending 317 in the final innings, Pakistan were cruising to victory at 110/2 when Cummins brought himself back and removed his opposite number Shan Masood for 60.

From there on, Australia took command of the game and Cummins shut down any resistance from Pakistan batters, bundling them out for 237.

Against a spirited Pakistan looking to fight back, Cummins spearheaded Australia’s domination with a five-for in each innings (5/48 & 5/49) while reaching 250 Test wickets.

His Player of the Match-winning performance secured the series for Australia which ultimately led to them regaining their No.1 crown in Tests.