For the ICC Men's Player of the Month Award for January, Shamar Joseph, Ollie Pope, and Josh Hazlewood were nominated
On Monday, the ICC announced the nominees for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month Award for January 2024, which include star pacer Shamar Joseph of the West Indies, England’s batter Ollie Pope, and Australia’s veteran speedster Josh Hazlewood.
The ICC said in an official statement, "A West Indies quick that burst onto the international cricket scene in style, an unsung hero of England's strong top-order, and a consistent pacer from Australia have made the shortlist for the ICC Men's Player of the Month Award for January 2024.".
During his Test debut, right-armer Joseph made an immediate impact, taking Australia batter Steve Smith's wicket with his first delivery.
Joseph scooped up another four Australian wickets on his debut in Adelaide, finishing with fantastic numbers of 5-94.
The underestimated right-hander batter Pope played a world-class effort, scoring 196 for England in the second innings of their surprise victory against India in Hyderabad.
Pope scored just one in the first inning as India dominated the opening exchanges. While wickets continued to fall at the other end, Pope remained unmovable, scoring his best Test score away from home and the fourth greatest Test innings by an England men’s player in India.
Pope was the last player out as England set India 231 for victory, and a seven-wicket haul from debutant Tom Hartley ensured a memorable Test victory for the tourists.
During the ICC World Test Championship in January, the ever-reliable Australian Hazlewood was at his dependable best, taking 19 wickets at a miserly average of 11.63.
Hazlewood’s month began with a four-wicket haul in the second innings at the SCG to help Australia complete a 3-0 series sweep over Pakistan, and the right-armer followed that up with nine wickets in total as the reigning World Test Championship winners cruised past the West Indies in Adelaide.
In the second Test against the Caribbean side at the Gabba, Hazlewood added five more wickets, closing off a great January for the experienced Australian seamer.