West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews has been named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July 2026, winning the honour for the fifth time in her career. England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sri Lanka’s Harshitha Samarawickrama were the other contenders for the award. Matthews was recognised after a prolific run for the West Indies in Ireland across July.
Matthews said she hoped to continue delivering for the West Indies and win more laurels in the process. “I am thrilled to win the ICC Player of the Month award once again. It is just as special as the previous ones, and I hope it inspires me to keep raising my standards, contributing to the West Indies, and winning more such awards in the future,” she said.
She also spoke about the growth of women’s cricket and thanked the ICC for its continued support. “It is an exciting time for women’s cricket, with more attention and interest than ever before. I am proud to contribute to its growth through my performances and thank the ICC for its continued support of the women’s game.”
Matthews was effective in both departments throughout the series. Matthews had a prolific run for her side for the West Indies in Ireland across July, hitting 265 runs over three games to secure a 3-0 ODI series win for her team. She hit a century in each of the first two ODIs. In the opening game, the all-rounder made an impact with both bat and ball, claiming 3/52 in the first innings before smashing 159* in the chase. She also shared a record-breaking partnership with Realeanna Grimmond.
In the second ODI, Matthews continued her fine run by bringing up back-to-back centuries. She scored 100 while also contributing with the ball through another important spell of 2/34. Although she managed just six runs in the third ODI, Matthews once again proved her value as a complete all-rounder. She took 2/37 with the ball in the third match.
Across the three matches, Matthews finished with 265 runs at an impressive average of 132.50 and a strike rate of 117.25. She also took seven wickets at an average of 17.57. Her performances with both bat and ball were important to the West Indies throughout the three-match series.
The award was decided after Matthews’ performances in July. The ICC Women’s Player of the Month award is the fifth time Matthews has received the honour in her cricketing career. Her July performances for the West Indies in Ireland included two centuries, 265 runs and seven wickets across three ODIs. She scored 159* in the opening ODI after taking 3/52, then followed it with 100 and figures of 2/34 in the second match.
Matthews’ performances across July showed her value as a complete all-rounder for the West Indies. She finished the three-match ODI series with 265 runs at an average of 132.50 and a strike rate of 117.25, along with seven wickets at an average of 17.57.
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