England captain Joe Root has been named the ICC men's Player of the Month for August after his magnificent run of form in the recent series against India.
During August, Root scored a total of 507 runs in three Tests, including three stunning centuries.
They included an outstanding unbeaten 180 in the second Test and Lords and a match winning 121 on his home ground Headingley in the third Test.
Former South African batsman JP Duminy, a member of the ICC panel which voted on the award, said: "With the expectation and responsibility on his shoulders as the captain, I was really impressed with how he led from the front with the bat, and become the number one ranked Test batter in the world."
Root fought off competition from India quick Jasprit Bumrah and his Pakistan counterpart Shaheen Afridi to win the award.
Meanwhile, Ireland all-rounder Eimear Richardson has been named the ICC women's Player of the Month for August after her impressive performances in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Europe Qualifier.
Richardson picked up seven wickets and scored 76 runs as Ireland finished the tournament as runners-up.
Richardson said: "It was very exciting to be nominated for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for August and to now be voted as the winner is just so amazing and humbling.
"It was great to contribute to overall team performances at the European Qualifiers and hopefully we have done enough to make the next stage and compete on a global level again."
Former Zimbabwe bowler Pommie Mbangwa, who was also a member of the ICC panel which voted, added: "What an amazing and important contribution in a tournament that is important to all the teams.
"What any team wants is for players to stand up at critical times and Eimear's contributions with bat and ball have come at the right time, been consistent and particularly significant."
