• The ICC announced nominees for the month of January.
• Shamar Joseph took 13 wickets in his debut Test.
• Josg Hazlewood has 19 wickets at 11.63 avg.

A fast bowler from the West Indies who made a remarkable entry into international cricket, a key contributor to England’s robust top-order, and a consistent Australian pacer have been shortlisted for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for January 2024.

Shamar Joseph (West Indies)

The right-arm fast bowler left a significant mark during his Test cricket debut by taking the valuable wicket of Australian batsman Steve Smith with his first ball.

Joseph added four more Australian wickets to his tally, achieving impressive figures of 5-94 on debut in Adelaide. He also contributed with the bat, scoring 36 and 15 batting at No.11.

Joseph outdid himself in the West Indies’ surprise victory over Australia in the second Test in Brisbane. He delivered a memorable spell, taking 7-68, which led the Caribbean team to their first Test win in Australia since 1997.

In two Tests, Joseph has scored 57 runs at a respectable average of 28.50 and taken 13 wickets at an impressive average of 17.30.

Ollie Pope (England)

The underappreciated right-handed batsman delivered a masterclass, scoring a splendid 196 for England in the second innings of their surprise win over India in Hyderabad.

Pope scored just one run in the first innings as India dominated the early stages of the match. However, when he walked to the crease just before lunch on the third day, he turned the tide.

Despite wickets falling at the other end, Pope stood firm, scoring his highest Test score overseas and the fourth-highest Test innings by an English male player in India.

Pope was the last man out as England set India a target of 231 runs. A seven-wicket haul from debutant Tom Hartley secured a memorable Test win for the visitors.

Josh Hazlewood (Australia)

The ever-dependable Australian was at his best during the ICC World Test Championship matches in January, taking a total of 19 wickets at an average of just 11.63.

Hazlewood’s month started with him helping Australia secure a 3-0 series win over Pakistan with a four-wicket haul in the second innings at the SCG. He followed this up with nine wickets in total as the reigning World Test Championship winners comfortably defeated the West Indies in Adelaide.

Hazlewood took another five wickets in the second Test against the West Indies at the Gabba, rounding off an excellent January for the seasoned Australian fast bowler.

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