ICC announces Men and Women nominees for the 'Player of the Month' for March

On Wednesday (April 6), the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the nominees for the 'Player of the Month' in men's and women's categories.

Australian Test captain Pat Cummins, Pakistan skipper Babar Azam and West Indian Test skipper Kraigg Brathwaite, who led his side to a 1-0 win over England, have been shortlisted for the 'Player of the Month' award.

Cummins scripted history in Pakistan last month on two counts. He became the third Australian skipper to lead his side to a series win in the Asian nation, but he also equalled Wasim Akram's record of most wickets taken by a fast-bowling captain in a Test series.

In three games, Cummins finished with 12 wickets. Akram achieved the same feat during the 1996 series in England.

His five-wicket-haul in the first innings of the 3rd Test insinuated a significant collapse that saw the home side lose their last seven wickets for 20. He also claimed three crucial wickets in the fourth innings, including the prized scalp of an in-form Babar Azam.

His counterpart, Babar Azam, may have ended up as the losing captain, but he did show his class as a batter throughout the series.

In three Tests, Azam scored 390 runs at an average of 78, including a career-best 196 in Karachi, which helped his side escape with a draw in the second Test.

Azam's 196 also happens to be the highest score by a captain in the fourth innings of the Test.

On the other hand, Braithwaite led from the front against England, scoring 341 runs at an average of 85.25. The opening batter scored a patient 489-ball 160 in the second Test, which helped the West Indies eke out a draw after England posted a massive score in their first innings.

As far as the women's category is concerned, England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who picked 20 wickets at 12.85 apiece in the World Cup during March, has found a nomination.

Apart from Ecclestone, Australian opener Rachael Haynes has also been nominated. Haynes hammered 429 runs in eight games at an average of 61.28 and a strike rate of 84.28 last month.

The last nomination in the women's category is of the No.1 ranked batter and South African opener Laura Wolvaardt, who scored as many as 433 runs at an average of 54.12 with the help of five 50+ scores.

The winners of the same will be announced next week.