London: The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced Gus Atkinson of England and Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka as the ICC Players of the Month for July 2024. Atkinson was recognized for his exceptional debut in Test cricket against the West Indies, while Athapaththu was honored for her pivotal role in Sri Lanka’s historic win at the Women’s Asia Cup.

According to International Cricket Council, Atkinson made a significant impact during his first series, claiming 22 wickets at an average of 16.22, which included a standout performance of seven wickets for 45 runs at Lord’s. His efforts helped England secure a 3-0 series victory over the West Indies, marking a stellar start to his international career.

Athapaththu led her team to their first Women’s Asia Cup title, scoring 304 runs at an average of 101.33 and a strike rate of 146.85. Her performances included a crucial unbeaten 119 against Malaysia and significant contributions in the semi-final against Pakistan and the final against India, where she scored 61 runs to secure the victory.

Both players overcame strong competition to win their awards, with Atkinson besting debutants from Scotland and India, and Athapaththu edging out top performers from India. The awards, decided by a combination of fan votes and an expert panel, underscore the remarkable achievements of both cricketers in their respective competitions.