Smith & Wyatt-Hodge Named ICC Players of the Month

Smith’s Outstanding Bowling Helps NZ Seal Historic Series Win

New Zealand fast bowler Nathan Smith earned the ICC Men’s Player of the Month for June 2026, edging out India captain Shubman Gill and Bangladesh all‑rounder Mosaddek Hossain. In a series that New Zealand clinched 2‑1 on English soil, Smith topped the wicket chart with 16 dismissals at an average of 23.00. His standout performance came at Lord’s, where he posted a match‑saving 9/132, including a second‑innings haul of 6/70. After receiving the honour, Smith stressed that the team’s triumph was his greatest achievement, calling the award “pretty cool” but secondary to the series victory.

Wyatt‑Hodge Caps a Memorable World Cup With Individual Accolade

England opener Danni Wyatt‑Hodge secured the ICC Women’s Player of the Month, out‑scoring India’s N Sree Charani and Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce. The award follows a dominant run in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup on home soil, where Wyatt‑Hodge finished as the tournament’s leading run‑scorer with 302 runs. She delivered a blistering 105 from 62 balls against Sri Lanka and an unbeaten 89 off 53 deliveries versus defending champions New Zealand, earning Player of the Match in both fixtures. “Having the chance to play in the final at Lord’s makes this World Cup unforgettable,” she said, reflecting on the home‑ground triumph.

The monthly recognitions underline how individual brilliance can shift series and tournaments, reinforcing the ICC’s effort to spotlight consistency across formats.