Sri Lanka celebrated a historic achievement in August 2024 as both Dunith Wellalage and Harshitha Samarawickrama were crowned ICC Players of the Month. This is only the second instance of players from the same country winning both awards in the same month, the first being Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana in June 2024.
Wellalage’s exceptional performance in the ODI series against India secured him the coveted men’s award. He outshone fellow nominees Keshav Maharaj (South Africa) and Jayden Seales (West Indies), showcasing his prowess with both bat and ball. His Player of the Series performance propelled Sri Lanka to a 2-0 series victory, featuring a series-defining 67 not out and an impressive seven wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the third match. This is the fifth time a Sri Lankan player has claimed the men’s Player of the Month award, following in the footsteps of Angelo Mathews, Prabath Jayasuriya, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Kamindu Mendis.
“This is great news for me and brings immense satisfaction, as this recognition gives me further strength to continue doing the good work I do as a player and contribute to my team to reach excellence in the field,” said Wellalage, expressing his delight. “Recognition such as this, coming from the ICC, is great news for young players like us and will certainly encourage young players in the game,” he added, highlighting the importance of the award for aspiring cricketers.
Meanwhile, Samarawickrama secured the women’s award, outperforming Irish duo Orla Prendergast and Gaby Lewis. Her remarkable tour of Ireland saw her become only the third Sri Lankan woman cricketer to score a century in ODIs. In the two T20Is played in Dublin, Samarawickrama amassed 151 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 169.66, including a match-winning 86 not out in the first match. She continued her dominance in the three ODIs in Belfast, scoring 172 runs at a strike rate of 82.69, which included a stunning 105 in the second match.
Samarawickrama’s win makes her the second Sri Lankan woman to secure the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award after captain Chamari Athapaththu’s double win in May and July 2024. This recognition is particularly significant for Samarawickrama as it comes just weeks before the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
“I am extremely happy with this recognition, which I consider a new high in my career. It certainly gives me a lot of confidence ahead of the big competition, the Women’s T20 World Cup,” said Samarawickrama, highlighting the timely boost in her confidence.
Sri Lanka’s double victory is a testament to their growing talent and strength in both men’s and women’s cricket. With such impressive performances, Wellalage and Samarawickrama will surely be key players to watch in the upcoming international tournaments.
