Dunith Wellalage crowned ICC Men's Player of the Month for August 2024
Sri Lanka youngster Dunith Wellalage was announced as the ICC Men's Player of the Month for August 2024 following his stellar displays in the home series against India. The left-arm spinner was adjudged player of the series in the three-match affair against the Men in Blue at home.
Wellalage scored a crucial unbeaten fifty in the series opener, and also chipped in with a memorable five-wicket haul in the finale in Colombo. He pipped the likes of fellow left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj and Jayden Seales to claim the award.
"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. I wish to thank my teammates, parents, friends, and relatives, as I am sure my achievement will provide them great satisfaction, as they have been supporting me all throughout," Wellalage said in a ICC statement upon being named as the winner.
"Recognition such as this, coming from the International Cricket Council, is great news for young players like us and will certainly encourage young players in the game," he added.
The 21-year-old has already been touted as one to watch following his bright start to international cricket, particularly in the limited-overs format. He had also led Sri Lanka in the 2022 U-19 World Cup in the Caribbean, finishing as the highest wicket-taker.
Wellalage becomes the second Sri Lanka player to be adjudged Men's Player of the Month in 2024. Fellow left-handed player Kamindu Mendis was the recipient of the award for his exploits in March.
Harshita Samarawickrama crowned ICC Women's Player of the Month for August 2024
Sri Lanka have hit the double when it comes to the individual awards as 2024 Asia Cup final star Harshita Samarawickrama has been named the ICC Women's Player of the Month for her displays in August. The 26-year-old had an exceptional white-ball series against Ireland, scoring two fifties and a hundred, with the latter being the first ever in her career. She overcame the likes of Orla Prendergast and Gaby Lewis 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," she told the ICC.
This marks the second straight month that a Sri Lanka cricketer has been named as the Women's Player of the Month. Skipper Chamari Athapaththu was adjudged the winner for June following the nation's historic 2024 Asia Cup campaign on home soil.