Pat Cummins and Deepti Sharma receives Apex Cricket Council’s Player of the Month Award

The Apex Cricket Council acknowledges players that come under its purview in both the Men’s and Women’s categories by honouring them with the Best Cricketer for the month. The results for December 2023’s Cricketer of the Month for both Male and Female categories are out.

Australia’s Pat Cummins has been conferred as the Men’s Cricketer of the Month for December 2023 whereas Deepti Sharma from India has been chosen as the Women’s Cricketer of the month. Pat Cummins got recognition for his amazing bowling performances against Pakistan in the home Test series. 

Pat Cummins's magic with the ball against Pakistan

Cricket fans were treated to another month of magic from fast bowler Pat Cummins, culminating thrilling victory by Australia over Pakistan in the second Test match at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Cummins was the undisputed star of the show, snatching a staggering 10 wickets across the entire match. His bowling was particularly clutch in the tense final stretch, where Pakistan was threatened to pull off a stunning comeback.

In the second innings, Cummins delivered a spell for the ages, ripping through the Pakistani batting order with his fiery pace and pinpoint accuracy. He bagged an impressive five wickets for just 48 runs, including the prized scalp of Mohammed Rizwan. This special wicket wasn't just another strike as it marked Cummins' 250th Test wicket, a monumental achievement for the fast bowler.

Deepti Sharma's all-round show against Australia and England

Deepti Sharma on the other hand mesmerized fans all over with her all-round performances against the strong England and Australia sides in different formats of the game. She played a major role in India’s test victories against Australia and England at home.

Players Reactions

Pat Cummins was quoted by the Apex Cricket Council as saying, “It's been a great year for the group across all formats and to cap it off with a strong performance against a challenging Pakistan side was a nice way to finish 2023. Overall we are very pleased with the summer so far and looking ahead to the West Indies and New Zealand series."

Meanwhile Deepti Sharma on receiving the acknowledgement said, “It's an honour to be voted the Apex Cricket Council Women's Player of the Month for December. I feel very good about my game at the moment and I'm glad that reflected in my performances for India last month against strong opponents. I'll continue to work hard so that I can have more moments like this in the future."