The veteran 31-year-old wicket-keeper batter Beth Mooney was named the Player of the Month for January 2025. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has now revealed the nominees for the Player of the Month in February 2025. The Australian duo of Annabel Sutherland and Alana King, along with Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong, form the trio that is in the reckoning for the prestigious monthly award in February 2025.
Alana King (Australia):
Alana King was instrumental in Australia’s dominant performance during the Women’s Ashes Test against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Her exceptional leg-spin bowling played a pivotal role in dismantling the English batting lineup, leading to a historic 16-0 series whitewash.
In England’s first innings, King delivered a masterful spell, claiming 4 wickets for 45 runs. This performance was crucial in restricting England to a modest total, giving Australia a substantial advantage early in the match. In the second innings, facing a massive deficit, England’s batters struggled once again against King’s relentless accuracy and variation. She secured 5 wickets for 53 runs, completing a nine-wicket haul in the match. One of her deliveries, a leg-break that sharply turned to hit the top of off-stump, drew comparisons to Shane Warne’s iconic “Ball of the Century,” highlighting her skill and control.
King’s outstanding performance was instrumental in Australia securing an innings and 122-run victory within three days, culminating in a 16-0 series sweep. Her contributions earned her the Player of the Series award, underscoring her status as a vital asset in Australia’s bowling attack. She picked up 23 wickets with the ball across all three formats in the 2025 Ashes series.
Annabel Sutherland (Australia):
Annabel Sutherland’s remarkable batting display was a cornerstone of Australia’s dominance in the same Test match. Her innings not only showcased her technical proficiency but also her temperament under pressure. Coming to the crease after an early wicket, Sutherland steadied the Australian innings with a composed and authoritative performance. She amassed 163 runs, featuring 21 boundaries and a six. Her ability to rotate the strike and capitalize on scoring opportunities kept the scoreboard ticking and demoralized the English bowlers.
Sutherland’s partnership with Beth Mooney, who scored her maiden Test century with 106 runs, was pivotal in propelling Australia’s total to a commanding 440 runs. This substantial first-innings lead put immense pressure on England and set the foundation for Australia’s comprehensive victory. Sutherland’s innings earned her the Player of the Match award, highlighting her emergence as a key player in the Australian lineup.
Notably, she was the 2nd highest run-scorer for Australia in the multi-format Women’s Ashes, with 218 runs at an impressive average of 31.14 in seven innings and she also picked up five wickets at an average of 41.60 and an economy of 4.83 in eight innings.
Thipatcha Putthawong (Thailand):
Thipatcha Putthawong, a 20-year-old left-arm spinner from Thailand, delivered standout performances in the Nepal Women’s T20I Tri-Series, significantly contributing to her team’s success. In the match against Nepal on February 4, 2025, Putthawong showcased her all-round capabilities. Batting first, Thailand posted a total of 106 for 6, with Putthawong contributing an unbeaten 25 runs off 31 balls, stabilizing the innings after early setbacks.
Defending a modest total, she delivered a spell of 4 overs, conceding just 10 runs and claiming 4 crucial wickets, including key middle-order batters. Her ability to maintain a tight line and extract turn made scoring difficult for the Nepalese batters. Her performance was instrumental in restricting Nepal to 101 for 8, securing a narrow 5-run victory for Thailand.
Throughout the series, Putthawong’s consistent wicket-taking ability and economical bowling were vital in Thailand’s successful campaign. She was the leading wicket-taker with the ball in the Tri-nation series in Nepal with 16 wickets at an impressive average of 5.81 in six innings with the ball for her side in the series.
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