DUBAI: Right-arm England pacer Chris Woakes got the reward for his sensational Ashes performance as he claimed the ICC Player of the Month award for July 2023.
Woakes overcame strong opposition from compatriot Zak Crawley and Netherlands’ star all-rounder Bas de Leede for the coveted award on the back of his superb performances for England in the recently-concluded Ashes.
“It’s very nice to have been voted ICC Men’s Player of the Month for July,” said Woakes in a statement released by the ICC.
“Everything we did in the Ashes was a team effort, and no individual awards would be possible without everyone else doing their job but it’s always nice to be recognised, especially when it’s a public vote,” said Woakes about the honour.
“It was a great series, and I’m just very happy that it captured the imagination and attention of the public so much. It was great to have so much support and it was a hugely enjoyable series to play in.”
Chris Woakes was not a part of England’s Playing XI for the first two matches and the hosts were 0-2 down heading into the third Test. England needed the incoming players to make an instant impact for them to stay alive in the series and Woakes did just that.
Woakes took three wickets in each innings in his first Test match in almost a year, including the prized scalps of Marnus Labuschagne and Usman Khawaja. He then followed his brilliant bowling performance with a match-winning 32-run knock in a thrilling run chase.
Chris Woakes concluded the Ashes on a high, bagging the Player of the Match award in the last Test at The Oval. The 34-year-old hit an important run-a-ball 36 in the first innings before causing trouble with the ball once more as England drew level in a dramatic fashion.
The right-arm pacer, despite managing to play only three matches, claimed the Player of the Series award for picking up 19 wickets at an average of 18.15 and scoring important 79 runs for his side.
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