Patiala, 28 December (Sports Desk)
The ICC has announced the nominees for the Men’s Emerging Cricketer of the Year award, showcasing four exceptional young talents who made significant impacts in 2024. The nominees are:
- Gus Atkinson (England): A fast bowler who made a stunning Test debut, quickly becoming a key part of England’s bowling attack.
- Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka): A stylish left-handed batsman who equaled Sir Don Bradman’s record for reaching 1000 Test runs and became a mainstay in Sri Lanka’s batting order.
- Saim Ayub (Pakistan): A flamboyant opening batsman who played a crucial role in Pakistan’s ODI successes.
- Shamar Joseph (West Indies): A fast bowler who burst onto the scene with memorable performances, including a match-winning spell against Australia.
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Here’s a closer look at their achievements:
Gus Atkinson (England):
- Statistics: 52 wickets from 11 Tests, averaging 22.15.
- Key Achievements: Made his Test debut in James Anderson’s final match and immediately impressed. Took 7 wickets in his debut innings. Claimed 34 wickets in 3 Tests against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home. Took 12 wickets in 3 Tests in New Zealand, contributing to England’s first series win there since 2008. Scored a Test century against Sri Lanka.
- Memorable Performance: 7/45 in the first innings of his Test debut against West Indies at Lord’s, followed by a five-wicket haul in the second innings. His match figures of 12/106 are the fourth-best by a debutant in men’s Tests.
Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka):
- Statistics: 1451 runs from 32 matches at an average of 50.03. In Tests: 1049 runs from 9 Tests at an average of 74.92.
- Key Achievements: Became the third-fastest to 1000 Test runs, equaling Don Bradman’s record of 13 innings. Scored 5 Test centuries and 3 fifties. Was Sri Lanka’s leading run-scorer on their tour of England, including a vital half-century in Sri Lanka’s first Test win in England in a decade.
- Memorable Performance: Unbeaten 182 against New Zealand in the second Test of a 2-0 series win, earning him Player of the Match.
Saim Ayub (Pakistan):
- Statistics: 515 runs from 9 ODIs, averaging 64.37.
- Key Achievements: Became a key opening batsman for Pakistan in ODIs. Scored two centuries in a 3-0 series sweep against South Africa, earning him Player of the Series. Played a key role in Pakistan’s ODI series win in Australia – their first in 22 years. Also took 5 wickets with an economy rate of 4.63.
- Memorable Performance: Scored 109 runs off 119 deliveries against South Africa in Paarl, helping Pakistan recover from 60/4 and secure a series win.
Shamar Joseph (West Indies):
- Statistics: 29 wickets from 8 Tests, averaging 26.75.
- Key Achievements: Made a significant impact after debuting in Australia. Took 13 wickets in two Tests in Australia, including two five-wicket hauls, contributing to West Indies’ first Test win there since 1997. Took 12 wickets in home series against Bangladesh and South Africa.
- Memorable Performance: 7/68 against Australia at the Gabba, leading West Indies to an eight-run victory and leveling the series 1-1. He was named Player of the Series.
