Australia’s left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc has been nominated for the ICC Men’s Player of the Month award for December after playing a key role during the Ashes series. West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves and New Zealand fast bowler Jacob Duffy are also among the nominees for the prestigious award.
On Thursday, the ICC announced the nominees for the Men’s Player of the Month award for December. The month saw heavy cricket action across formats, with India and South Africa playing white-ball series, New Zealand hosting Tests against the West Indies, and Australia taking on England in the Ashes.
Mitchell Starc Instrumental in Australia’s Ashes Series Victory Over England
Mitchell Starc played a key role for Australia during the Ashes series in December. The left-arm fast bowler made important contributions with both the ball and the bat across three Tests.
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Starc took 16 wickets and scored 139 runs in the series. In the second Test, he picked up eight wickets and scored 77 runs, earning the Player of the Match award. His 6/75 in the first innings helped Australia take control early.
In the third Test at Adelaide, Starc again delivered when it mattered. He scored 54 runs and took four wickets, helping Australia seal the Ashes series. His ability to take early wickets and add valuable runs down the order played a big part in Australia retaining the Ashes.
Jacob Duffy Broke Richard Hadlee’s Record After Sensational Test Series
Jacob Duffy had an excellent home Test series against the West Indies National Cricket Team. The fast bowler led New Zealand’s attack and troubled opposition batters with his swing and accuracy.
Duffy picked up 23 wickets in three Tests at an average of 15.43, helping the New Zealand National Cricket Team secure a 2-0 series win. His performances were consistent across the series, and he played a major role in both victories.
Duffy was named Player of the Series after New Zealand’s success. He also ended the year on a high. In 2025, he finished as New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker across all formats with 81 wickets, breaking the long-standing record of 79 wickets set by Richard Hadlee in 1985.
Justin Greaves’ Heroic 202 Saved West Indies in New Zealand Test
Justin Greaves had an outstanding month for the West Indies National Cricket Team during their Test tour of New Zealand. The all-rounder made a big impact with the bat and also chipped in with the ball.
Greaves scored 283 runs in three Tests at an average of 56.60. His best performance came in the first Test at Christchurch, where he played a crucial 202 not out in the fourth innings to save the match for his team.
Chasing a tough target of 530, the West Indies were under heavy pressure. They reached 457 for six when the match ended, with Greaves holding one end and guiding the team to a draw through patience and smart shot selection.
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