Greaves, Matthews create history

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (CMC):

All-rounders Justin Greaves and Hayley Matthews have achieved a rare feat after capturing the ICC’s Player of the Month awards for July.

It marks the first time both awards have been won simultaneously by West Indies players and only the fifth occasion since the awards were introduced in January 2021 that players from the same country have secured both honours.

The 32-year-old Greaves beat England’s Harry Brook and Bangladesh’s Tanzid Hasan to claim the award, while Matthews, captain of the West Indies Women, got the better of England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama.

Greaves earned the honour after starring in successive Test series against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, winning the Player-of-the-Series award on both occasions.

His first major contribution came against Sri Lanka. With the Windies facing a daunting first-innings total of 549 for nine declared, Greaves produced a magnificent 180 to help his team close the gap. His innings, which included 14 fours and two sixes, helped West Indies secure a draw in the Test and a 1-0 series victory.

His next standout performance came with the ball against Pakistan in Trinidad, where he ripped through the visitors’ batting line-up to claim his maiden five-wicket haul.

Greaves delivered five consecutive wicket maidens during the spell, reducing Pakistan from 244 for four to 267 for nine and handing West Indies a crucial first-innings advantage.

He returned in the second innings to take wickets in his first two overs, giving him seven wickets from seven consecutive overs in the match. West Indies eventually bowled out Pakistan for 120 to complete a 90-run victory.

“I have had a memorable month playing at home, and to have contributed with both bat and ball against Sri Lanka and Pakistan has been particularly special for me.

“Having impactful performances in Test cricket is always something I will cherish, especially when they come in front of our home fans,” Greaves said.

“I am pleased to have played my part in some important performances for the team, and I hope I can continue to make meaningful contributions. I thank my teammates and team staff for their support and look forward to building on this momentum in the coming months.”

Meanwhile, fellow Barbadian Matthews won the award for a fifth time following a superb showing against Ireland Women in their One-Day International series.

The 28-year-old enjoyed a prolific tour, scoring 265 runs across three matches as West Indies completed a 3-0 sweep.

Matthews made her mark with both bat and ball in the opening ODI, taking 3-52 before smashing an unbeaten 159 in the run chase while sharing a record-breaking partnership with Realeanna Grimmond.

She followed up with a second successive century in the next ODI, scoring exactly 100 and supplementing her effort with figures of 2-34.

Although she managed just six runs in the third ODI, Matthews again demonstrated her all-round value by taking 2-37 with the ball.

She ended the series with a remarkable batting average of 132.50 and a strike rate of 117.25 while also claiming seven wickets at an average of 17.57.

“I am thrilled to win the ICC Player of the Month award once again. It is just as special as the previous ones, and I hope it inspires me to keep raising my standards, contributing to the West Indies, and winning more such awards in the future,” Matthews said.

“It is an exciting time for women’s cricket, with more attention and interest than ever before. I am proud to contribute to its growth through my performances and thank the ICC for its continued support of the women’s game.”