![Mitchell Starc wins ICC player of the month for December [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1768473891779_MitchellStarcICCPOTM.jpg?type=hq)
Mitchell Starc wins ICC player of the month for December [Source: AFP]
In a phenomenal achievement, Australian legend Mitchell Starc has won the ICC player of the month award for December. Starc has been rewarded for his remarkable consistency in December 2025, pipping New Zealand's Jacob Duffy, who will represent RCB in the IPL 2026, and winning the prestigious ICC player of the month award. It's worth mentioning that this is the first time the ICC has honoured Mitchell Starc with the player of the month award. Test captain Pat Cummins was the last player from Australia to win the award as he received it back in December 2023.
Mitchell Starc beats Duffy and Greaves in ICC Player of the Month race
Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc was one of the most high-profile nominees for the ICC player of the month following his stellar returns in the Ashes 2025-26. He was nominated for the prestigious award along with New Zealand's Jacob Duffy and West Indies allrounder Justin Greaves. However, Starc's Ashes heroics comprehensively overpowered his competitors, helping him earn the ICC player of the month award.
In his reaction, Mitchell Starc expressed his satisfaction at winning the ICC player of the month award following a triumphant Ashes campaign.
“It’s an honour to be named the ICC Player of the Month, and even more special that it came on the back of such a successful home Ashes. To have played a part in winning such an iconic series in front of our home crowd is something we will all relish for a long time,” Starc was quoted as saying by ICC.
“As a team we’ve had some outstanding performances in the last few years. The focus now is on building that momentum towards a place in next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final,” he added.
Mitchell Starc's achievements as a player in December
Hailed for his incredible ability with the ball, Mitchell Starc played a pivotal role in powering Australia to a clinical 4-1 win over England in the Ashes.
The left-arm fast bowler bagged 31 wickets in just ten innings, setting the foundation of England's terrible outing with the bat throughout the series. While Mitchell Starc's ten-wicket haul ensured Australia's memorable comeback in the Perth Test, the veteran cricketer registered several impactful spells, including a six-fer in the pink-ball Test in Brisbane.
He also contributed handily to Australia's batting success, amassing 157 runs in seven innings at a healthy average of 26.17 and a strike rate of 60.85. Therefore, although RCB's IPL 2026 auction signing Jacob Duffy scalped 25 wickets and West Indies cricketer Justin Greaves slammed a historic Test double hundred, Starc's larger sample size and impact in the Ashes were sufficient enough for the ICC to determine the winner of the player of the month.
After finishing the Ashes 2025-26 as the highest wicket-taker, Mitchell Starc is eyeing a BBL comeback for the Sydney Sixers. Led by Moises Henriques, the Pink Army is placed second in the points table and will face the Thunder in the Sydney derby on January 16.
