The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced four nominees for this year's Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year award. Contenders for the emerging cricketer of the year award are Pakistan's Saim Ayub, Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis, West Indies pacer Shamar Joseph and England's Gus Atkinson.
Saim Ayub, Kamindu, Shamar and Gus were selected for their heroics for their international teams across formats in 2024. Two seamers made impressive Test debuts as the Sri Lankan batsman equaled Don Bradman's feat and the Pakistani opener played a key role in the historical record. recent victories.
ICC Nominees for Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024: Gus Atkinson debuted for England against West Indies in July 2024
Gus Atkinson made his Test debut for England against the West Indies in July 2024. The right-arm pacer took 52 wickets in 11 Tests at an impressive average of 22.15. Atkinson recorded figures of 7/45 against the West Indies at Lord's, followed by a five-wicket haul in the second innings.
His performance earned him man of the match. Atkinson also played a crucial role in England's first Test series win in New Zealand since 2008, taking 12 wickets in three matches. He scored his maiden Test century against Sri Lanka. 12/106 is the fourth best bowling debutant in men's events.
ICC nominees for Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024: Kamindu Mendis equals Don Bradman's record in Tests
Kamindu Mendis had an outstanding 2024, scoring 1451 runs in 32 matches at an average of 50.03. He became the third fastest to score 1000 runs in men's Tests, equaling Sir Don Bradman's record of 13 innings. Mendis amassed 1049 runs from nine matches at an average of 74.92, including five centuries.
Mendis was also the top scorer for Sri Lanka in their tour of England, scoring 267 runs. He scored a half-century in Sri Lanka's first Test win in England in a decade. One of his memorable performances was in a 2–0 home win over New Zealand, where he scored a career-best unbeaten 182 runs.
ICC Nominees for Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024: Saim Ayub Wins Player of the Series in 3-0 Clean Sweep in South Africa
Saim Ayub scored 515 runs in nine ODIs at an average of 64.37. The left-handed opener played a crucial role in Pakistan's victories in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa in the run-up to the ICC Champions Trophy. He scored two centuries in South Africa and won the player of the series in a 3-0 scoreline.
Saim Ayub also helped Pakistan win their first ODI series in Australia in 22 years. Apart from batting, he took five wickets at an economy rate of 4.63. Saim Ayub's memorable performance came in a match against South Africa at Paarl, where the Swede scored 109 runs off 119 balls, including 10 fours and three sixes.
Shamar Joseph helped West Indies to victory over Australia at the Gabba
Shamar Joseph quickly made a name for himself after making his debut on the Australian tour. Joseph helped the West Indies win their first Test match in Australia since 1997. He took 13 wickets in his first Test series, including two fivers. He also claimed 12 wickets in the home series against Bangladesh and South Africa.
Joseph's most memorable performance came during a historic win at the Gabba where the Windies became only the second team to beat Australia there since 1989. He took 7 wickets for 68 runs with the pink ball as India West won by eight points and tied. series 1-1. He won player of the series.
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