Prabath Jayasuriya crowned ICC Player of the Month for July

• Published date: 09 August 2022
• Publication title: Daily Financial Times

The International Cricket Council (ICC) yesterday announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for July 2022 as Sri Lanka's newest spin sensation Prabath Jayasuriya and England's Emma Lamb, who starred atop the order in her side's whitewash series victory over South Africa.

Jayasuriya claims the ICC Men's Player of the Month award on the back of an outstanding series of displays with the ball, where his remarkable haul of wickets sees him crowned ahead of rival contenders England's Jonny Bairstow - who won the Men's award back in June - and French youngster Gustav McKeon.

During Sri Lanka's three Test matches on home soil in July, Jayasuriya stepped into the squad for the first time in the longest format and made an immediate impact against formidable opponents.

After his side was humbled in the first Test defeat to Australia, the spinner celebrated a prolific Test debut, taking six for 118 in the first innings, and following up with an even more impressive six for 59 in the second to claim the final Test and draw the series. Jayasuriya kept his momentum going into the two-Test showdown against Pakistan later in the month, taking 17 wickets across the...