Australia’s Beth Mooney has been crowned the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for January 2025, marking the first time she has won this prestigious honor.
The left-handed opener was instrumental in Australia’s dominant Ashes victory over England, delivering a series of exceptional performances across formats. She edged out strong competition from West Indies spinner Karishma Ramharack and India U-19 sensation Trisha Gongadi to secure the coveted award.
This marks the second consecutive month an Australian player has won the ICC Women’s Player of the Month, following Annabel Sutherland’s victory in December 2024.
Mooney, who played a crucial role in Australia’s Ashes triumph, expressed her delight at receiving the accolade, “It’s an honour to be named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month and I’d like to thank everyone who voted for me,” Mooney said.
Reflecting on a historic series for Australian women’s cricket, she added, “January was an incredible month for the Australian Women’s Cricket Team. Winning the Ashes in front of a home crowd was very special and to complete the series playing in the first-ever day-night Test at the MCG in front of a record crowd for a Women’s Test is a moment that we will all never forget. This team continues to achieve amazing results, and I am so proud to be a part of it.”
Mooney’s performances in the multi-format Ashes series were nothing short of spectacular. While she had a slow start in the ODI leg, she found her rhythm in the third match in Hobart, where she played a crucial knock of 50 off 64 balls, steadying the Australian innings after an early collapse at 59/4. Her efforts helped Australia post 308 runs and complete a 3-0 sweep in the ODI series.
However, it was in the T20I leg where Mooney truly stamped her authority. She emerged as the series’ standout batter, amassing 213 runs at a staggering strike rate of 146.89. She played match-winning knocks of 75 and 44 before unleashing her best in Adelaide, where she smashed an unbeaten 94 off just 63 balls—her highest T20I score in over five years.
Her contributions saw her clinch the Player of the Match award in both the first and final T20Is, while also finishing as the leading run-scorer across the T20I series.
Mooney’s impact wasn’t limited to batting. With usual wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy unavailable, she took up the gloves and delivered a stellar performance behind the stumps, completing three catches and a stumping during the T20I series.
Her form carried over into the one-off Ashes Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where she etched her name into history by scoring her maiden Test hundred. This knock further cemented her status as one of the best batters in the world.
Mooney’s remarkable run in January 2025 adds another feather to her cap, having also been recognized as the Women’s T20 Player of the Year during the Cricket Australia Awards.
Beth Mooney’s nomination for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award was well-deserved, and her triumph marks a sensational return to the list after being nominated for the same award in January 2024.
(Quotes sourced from ICC)
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