ICC announces men's Player of the Month for July 2024

England fast bowler Gus Atkinson has been honored as the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July 2024. His outstanding performance during the Test series against the West Indies earned him the prestigious award.

Atkinson’s debut series was nothing short of spectacular. He outshone notable competitors, including India’s Washington Sundar and Scotland’s Charlie Cassell, to secure the title.

“It is a real privilege to win the ICC Player of the Month! The start to my Test career has been unbelievable, and I never imagined achieving this level of success in my first series with England," Atkinson said.

“I am incredibly grateful to my teammates and the fantastic environment created by Baz (Brendon McCullum) and Stokesy (Ben Stokes). It's an honour to play and represent my country. I know there is a lot of hard work ahead, especially with a big series against Sri Lanka coming up. I'm excited to maintain consistency and do my best to help England succeed," he further added.

The 26-year-old made an impressive debut in James Anderson’s final Test match. He claimed 12 wickets over the series, including two five-wicket hauls. In the first Test, Atkinson’s exceptional bowling figures of 7/45 helped dismiss the West Indies for just 121 runs. He then took another five-wicket haul in the same match, contributing to England’s innings victory.

Atkinson continued his strong performance throughout the series, capturing 10 additional wickets in the following Tests. He also made contributions with the bat, scoring crucial runs in the second and final Tests.

Looking ahead, Atkinson is eager to maintain his form as England prepares for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.