Shami, Maxwell, Head Nominated for ICC Player of the Month November 2023

India's Mohammed Shami, along with Australia's ODI World Cup winners Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell, are finalists for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for November 2023. Shami excelled as the top wicket-taker in the 2023 Men's ODI World Cup, leading India's bowling with impressive performances. Despite being favorites, India finished as runners-up in the tournament.

Shami was a late addition to India’s playing eleven but left a huge impact thereafter. He started November with a Player of the Match performance against Sri Lanka at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai, tearing through their batting lineup with sterling figures of 5-18, leaving everyone mesmerized. His highlight of the campaign, though, came in the semi-final victory over New Zealand at the same venue in Mumbai, taking seven wickets for 57 runs and booking the hosts’ ticket to the final in Ahmedabad with the best figures for any bowler in the World Cup knockout games. During the calendar month, Shami took 15 wickets at a remarkable average of 12.06.

Maxwell earns his first nomination after a standout November, highlighted by a remarkable World Cup performance against Afghanistan in Mumbai. Facing the challenge of 292 runs for victory at 91 for seven, Maxwell's unbeaten 201, featuring 31 boundaries, secured Australia's advancement to the knockout stages despite his struggles with cramps throughout his body.

Fast forward to the final in Ahmedabad, and Maxwell again made key contributions, bowling a disciplined spell and removing the threat of Rohit Sharma before hitting the winning runs to seal the title for Australia. Maxwell also starred in the subsequent T20I matches against India, hitting 104 not out in 48 balls in the third encounter in Guwahati, before flying back home. Meanwhile, Head is nominated for the Men’s Player of the Month award for the first time since his match-winning contributions helped Australia clinch the ICC World Test Championship Final in June with a victory over India in London this year.

A similar narrative unfolded in India, marked by two Player of the Match displays in the knockout stages. Head's brilliance with bat and ball thwarted South Africa in the Kolkata semi-final. He crucially dismissed Heinrich Klaasen and Marco Jansen, then top-scored with 62 in 48 balls during a thrilling chase. The pinnacle of his performance occurred in Ahmedabad, where, chasing 241, Head's outstanding 137 off 120 balls secured victory amid joyous celebrations. This achievement also earned him another Player of the Match award, contributing to Australia's sixth World Cup title.