South Africa's Marizanne Kapp crowned ICC Women’s Player Of The Month

Star South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has been voted the ICC Women’s player of the month for June 2022 owing to her incredible all-round efforts that she showcased during the one-off test against England a few days ago. 

Kapp became the third South African player to be honoured with the recognition after pacer Shabnim Ismail and the recently retired Lizelle Lee.

The 32-year-old beat fellow South African pacer Shabnim Ismail and England all-rounder Nat Sciver for the ICC’s monthly award. Kapp managed scores of 150 and 43* in the Test match against England at Taunton, Somerset. The all-rounder came to the crease with her side struggling at 45/4 with the ball moving in the air and the pitch. She produced one of her finest knocks in Test cricket, duly recognized and awarded by the ICC.

Kapp hit 26 boundaries during her innings that lasted for 213 deliveries. The hard-hitting all-rounder kept putting away the bad balls and guided her team to a decent total before being dismissed for a sensational 150 at the time of stumps on the first day. 

The all-rounder wasn’t done. She followed it up with another vital inning of 43 on the final day to ensure that the match never went into England’s hands and that it would be a draw, capping off a tremendous individual effort with the bat in both innings of the clash.

It really means a lot for me: Marizanne Kapp

Marizanne Kapp became the first South African player to win the ICC’s Player Of The Month Award in quite some time after recently retired opening batter Lizelle Lee won it in March 2021. 

The ever-reliable all-rounder was stoked to be the Player of The Month, and speaking about the same, she said: “It really means a lot for me to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award, especially being up against two absolutely brilliant players in Shabnim Ismail and Nat Sciver.

“What made my first Test century so special was that, number one, our first Test match (in 2014) was an absolute nightmare.

“Then having to play another one after eight years where I had minimum preparation for the Test match because I was unwell and then finding my team in the position we were in at 45 for four, it is something that will stay with me throughout my career.

“It’s definitely a highlight for me, especially with the wickets that fell at the other end and then having to bat with the tail as well, those partnerships are what also made it so special.”

Former England international and voting panel member Lydia Greenway was thrilled that Kapp was voted as the winner.

“Playing in just her second Test match, Kapp showed resilience and high levels of skill to keep South Africa in the fight,” Greenway noted. 

“In a weakened South Africa team due to injury, Kapp showed why she is one of the best all-rounders in the world by taking responsibility with bat and ball.”