The International Cricket Council (ICC) today announced Sri Lanka players Dunith Wellalage and Harshitha Samarawickrama as the ICC Players of the Month for August 2024.

Sri Lankan all-rounder Dunith Wellalage has been named the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for August 2024, following his standout performances in the series against India. The 21-year-old outshone fellow nominees Keshav Maharaj of South Africa and West Indies’ Jayden Seales to secure the prestigious award.

Harshitha Samarawickrama was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month, following her exceptional performances during Sri Lanka’s tour of Ireland. The 26-year-old batter showcased her prowess by scoring 151 runs in two T20Is at a strike rate of 169.66, including an unbeaten 86 off 45 balls. In the ODI series, Samarawickrama notched 172 runs in three matches, with a memorable century (105) in the second game, becoming only the third Sri Lankan woman to achieve this milestone in ODIs.

Rare for Sri Lanka: The only previous instance of players from the same country winning the awards the same month was when Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana were named the Players of the Month in June this year.