All-rounder Justin Greaves has been honored with the ICC Player of the Month award for July, thanks to his remarkable performances in Test cricket.
Meanwhile, captain Hayley Matthews has secured the women’s award for her outstanding contributions in ODIs, marking a significant achievement for the West Indies.
This marks the first occasion that players from the West Indies have won both awards simultaneously, and it is only the fifth time since the awards began in January 2021. Previous winners include India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana (June 2024), Sri Lanka’s Dunith Wellalage and Harshitha Samarawickrama (August 2024), India’s Abhishek Sharma and Smriti Mandhana (September 2025), and South Africa’s Senuran Muthusami and Laura Wolvaardt (October 2025).
Greaves’ Test Achievements
Greaves showcased his skills in home Test matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, outperforming competitors like England’s Harry Brook and Bangladesh’s Tanzid Hasan. He played a crucial role in saving the second Test against Sri Lanka in North Sound, scoring a remarkable 180 runs after the visitors had posted 549 for nine, leading to a 1-0 victory in the two-match ICC World Test Championship series. In the first Test against Pakistan in Trinidad, he took five wickets for 27 runs and two for 12 in a 90-run win, further solidifying his team’s position.
Reflecting on his achievements, Greaves stated, “This month has been unforgettable for me, especially playing at home. Contributing with both bat and ball against Sri Lanka and Pakistan has been incredibly special. I cherish impactful performances in Test cricket, particularly in front of our home fans.” He expressed gratitude towards his teammates and staff for their support and hopes to maintain this momentum.
Matthews’ Record-Breaking Performance
Hayley Matthews, who was nominated alongside England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama, earned her fifth Player of the Month award due to her exceptional performance in the ICC Women’s Championship matches against Ireland. She scored centuries in the first two matches, accumulating a total of 265 runs at an impressive average of 132.50 and a strike rate of 117.25, leading the West Indies to a 3-0 series victory. Additionally, she took seven wickets at an average of 17.57 and an economy rate of 4.10, achieving at least two wickets in each match.
Matthews expressed her excitement, saying, “Winning the ICC Player of the Month award again is just as special as before. I hope this inspires me to keep raising my standards and contributing to the West Indies’ success.” She also highlighted the growing interest in women’s cricket and her pride in contributing to its development.