Emma Lamb overtook nominees Nat Sciver and Renuka Thakur to claim the International Cricket Council (ICC) fan-vote-based player of the month (July) (POTM) award. Emma Lamb in England’s recent series against South Africa scored 234 runs in 3 ODI outings averaging a very good 78 which has got her rewarded as the ICC player of the month in women’s cricket.
Emma Lamb had been around the English ODI circuit for quite a bit and was just waiting for an opportunity to wear the three lions shirt in the ODI format. When an opportunity presented itself, it was against Australia which saw Elyse Perry dismiss her for a two-ball-duck. With a point to prove, she had the South Africa home series awaiting. When the moment arrived in the 1st ODI with England chasing a total of 219 in 50 overs. Opener, Emma Lamb had an opportunity to score a big one and she did just that. Emma got off the mark with a boundary and built on the inning with 1s, 2s and boundaries in regular intervals. She got to her 50* off 51 balls and continued to score with the same blueprint which saw her get to her 100* off 91 balls.
Emma Lamb is voted the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for July for her batting in England’s victorious ODI series against South Africa.
She was nominated alongside Nat Sciver and Renuka Singh Thakur. #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/toYf1eOX2m
— Female Cricket #B2022 (@imfemalecricket) August 8, 2022
A few deliveries later, Tumi Sekhukhune struck Emma Lamb on 102(97). Emma Lamb’s maiden international century was a display of elegance, timing and maturity. The knock ticked three key qualities which one looks for in a batter. In the remaining couple of ODI, she followed her score of 102 with scores of 67(65) and 65(66) in the 2nd and 3rd ODI respectively.
Emma Lamb on receiving the award said, “It’s very exciting to have been awarded the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for July. I’m very happy to have earned my spot at the top of the order in the Test and ODI team and it’s been brilliant to be able to score some runs and help the team win.
“Everyone in the squad contributed to our multi-format series win against South Africa so I just want to keep scoring runs for the team. I feel very lucky that my performances across the last month have been rewarded and I hope to carry on my good form.”
A good opening combination helps teams lay a good foundation which provides a good finish. England have enjoyed just that with Emma Lamb now cementing her place as an opener alongside, Tammy Beaumont who’s one of the best openers in world cricket. The 2nd ODI saw England have a 127-run opening stand which powered England to a strong total of 337. The 3rd ODI again saw England enjoy a 149-run opening stand which saw the side finish with a total of 371.
England previously struggled with an opening pair and now to have found a very solid and compact pair in Tammy Beaumont and Emma Lamb they’ll look to back the pair and enjoy more success on international stages.