Ireland batter Harry Tector has created history after becoming the first Irish player to win the ‘ICC Player of the Month’ award for men’s cricket. Tector has been in sublime touch of late, making 206 in the 3-match ODI series against Bangladesh, which saw the young batter reach his highest-ever position of seven in the ICC Men’s ODI batting rankings.
“The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced the winners of the ICC Player of the Month awards for May 2023. In-form batter Harry Tector becomes the first Irish player to win the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award” ICC said in a press release on Monday.
Ireland’s home series against Bangladesh in May marked the conclusion of the ICC Super League, and despite failing to secure a whitewash which would have ensured their qualification for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in India later this year, Tector produced some eye-catching displays of batting.
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An unbeaten 21 before the rain intervened in the first outing was followed by Tector’s highlight of the month, a brutal career-best knock of 140 in 113 balls which featured ten sixes and helped Ireland post a formidable total of 319.
The series defeat meant Ireland’s route to the World Cup will need to come via the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe starting in just under a weeks’ time, yet with 206 runs in May, Tector’s form identifies him as a key threat.
Tector on winning the award
“I am delighted with the Award and would like to thank those who voted for me, however, cricket is a team sport first and foremost, so the Award is more a reflection on the performances and progress of the Ireland Men’s squad,” Tector commented.
“Without the support of Heinrich [Malan], Andrew [Balbirnie] and the dedicated group of coaches and players I work with, I wouldn’t have been able to win this award. While Laura [Delany] and Eimear [Richardson] have won the Women’s equivalent, this is the first time an Irish player has picked up the men’s Award. While a personal privilege, I believe it won’t be too much longer until more Irish players are being recognised this way.“
“Thanks to the ICC – but I am sure you will understand that this will only be a brief moment of reflection as we have a crucial qualifier starting in a matter of days, and our focus will be solely on that over the coming weeks,” he added.
Tector wins the award from a competitive field which featured Najmul Hossain Shanto of Bangladesh and current holder of the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year, Babar Azam of Pakistan. Like Tector, both enjoyed superb run-scoring form in ODIs in May.
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