Jonny Bairstow named ICC Player of the Month for June

England's Jonny Bairstow capped off a remarkable month of cricket for himself as he was voted June's Player of the Month by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

Bairstow edged out Yorkshire and England teammate Joe Root and New Zealand's Daryl Mitchell. He managed to hit two back-to-back Test centuries against New Zealand, which saw his side complete a series 3-0 clean sweep at home.

His knock of 135 in the second Test at Nottingham helped England chase down 299 runs for the win.

This was the second-fastest (77) Test 100 for an Englishman, just missing the 76-ball mark set by Gilbert Jessop.

Bairstow reacted to being voted the 'Player of the Month':

"I would like to thank the fans for voting for me as the ICC Men's Player of the Month. It has been an incredible five weeks for England. It has been a positive start to our summer with four excellent wins against high-class opposition in New Zealand and India.

 "We are enjoying our cricket as a team and playing with clarity and positivity. Even though I have scored four centuries in this period, I would like to acknowledge my teammates who have been excellent in every department and playing with immense confidence."

Former Sri Lanka fast bowler and ICC Player of the Month voting panel member Farveez Maharoof lauded Bairstow for his knocks.

"Jonny played the pivotal role of the aggressor and was instrumental in winning the series for England with his counter-attacking knock, which changed the complexion of the series against the World Test Champions. 

"These kinds of players are special in Test cricket, and in my opinion, he fully deserves this recognition," he concluded.

Bairstow occupies the number 10 spot in the ICC Test Rankings for Batsman, with Root leading the list at the numero uno position. 

The New Zealand all-rounder Mitchell is two spots below Bairstow at number 12.

The England wicketkeeper is the leading run-scorer in Tests this year, with 994 runs at an average of 76.46, with six hundred and one fifty.

The former England captain is a close second with 927 runs, with five tons and one fifty. Mitchell is placed fifth on the list with 541 runs, which includes three tons and as many half-centuries.