Nominations for the ICC’s Men’s Player of the Month award for July 2023:

1. Zak Crawley (England):
Zak Crawley stands as a prime example of England’s transformed batting approach, thriving at the top of the order. During the recently-concluded Ashes, he emerged as England’s highest run-scorer, even excelling against the new ball. His remarkable performances in July included a notable 189 (182) at Old Trafford, complemented by scores of 33 and 44 at Headingley, along with innings of 22 and 73, which contributed to England’s 2-2 series draw and earned crucial World Test Championship points for the 2023-2025 cycle. Throughout the month, Crawley amassed an impressive total of 412 runs at an average of 58.85.

2. Chris Woakes (England):
Chris Woakes played a pivotal role in England’s fortunes during the crucial third Ashes Test at Headingley. As a bowling all-rounder, he made a significant impact by removing Marnus Labuschagne early on the first morning and subsequently dismissing Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh, restricting Australia to 263 runs. Woakes continued his brilliance by taking three more wickets in Australia’s second innings of 224 and then scoring the winning runs alongside Mark Wood in an unbeaten 32*. Additionally, he claimed five wickets in the first innings in Manchester and a total of seven wickets in the final Test, contributing to England’s 2-2 series draw. His bowling average for the month was an impressive 18.15. Despite playing in only three of the five Test matches, Woakes was honored with the Ashes 2023 Player of the Series award.

3. Bas de Leede (Netherlands):
Bas de Leede delivered a sensational performance in men’s ODIs, earning the Netherlands a coveted spot in the Cricket World Cup. In a high-stakes match against Scotland in Bulawayo, the 23-year-old displayed extraordinary talent, claiming five wickets for just 52 runs and delivering a remarkable century, scoring 123 runs. His exceptional feat of achieving the five-wicket/century double placed him in an exclusive list of just five players in the history of ODI cricket, joining the likes of Viv Richards, Paul Collingwood, Rohan Mustafa, and Amelia Kerr. In another match in July, de Leede contributed with 39 runs against Oman, further establishing himself as a formidable all-rounder ahead of the Cricket World Cup scheduled for October and November.

Chris Woakes, the pace-bowling all-rounder from Warwickshire, expressed his fears on Tuesday that he might never play Test cricket again after a lengthy layoff due to a knee injury.

Woakes, who last played a Test match against the West Indies in March 2022, was sidelined from first-class cricket for over a year following knee surgery. However, he has been included in England’s squad for the solitary Test against Ireland at Lord’s, with a strong performance potentially paving the way for his involvement in the upcoming Ashes series.

“Last summer was quite challenging for me personally, missing out on England cricket as well as all cricket,” Woakes shared with reporters at Lord’s on Tuesday.

Receiving a call from England coach Brendon McCullum, informing him of his return to the red-ball squad, brought immense relief to the 34-year-old veteran of 45 Tests.

“When Brendan called me, it felt like not the first call-up, but it always means a lot and it’s great to be back in the mix,” Woakes said.

He acknowledged that doubts about playing for England again had crossed his mind during the difficult period. Such uncertainties are common in professional sports, be it due to form, injury, or the emergence of talented young players ready to step in.

Since the partnership of McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, England has emerged victorious in 10 out of 12 Tests.

Despite James Anderson and Ollie Robinson being rested for the Ireland match in order to ensure their fitness for the Ashes opener at Edgbaston next month, Woakes remains ambitious and hopes to face Australia this season.

“Of course,” he affirmed. “Every time you get the opportunity to wear the shirt, it’s a chance to impress and contribute to team victories. With a significant summer ahead, you want to be a part of it.”

Woakes has an impressive track record at Lord’s, with a batting average of 61.20 and 27 wickets at an astonishingly low average of 11.33 from his five Tests at the iconic venue.

“If I get the nod on Thursday, it’s an opportunity I’ll be looking to make the most of, both in terms of team success and my own performance,” Woakes emphasized.

Recognizing the depth of England’s fast-bowling resources, he acknowledged the presence of a talented pool of bowlers and the likelihood of their need during the demanding summer ahead.