Proteas opener Quinton de Kock nominated for ICC Player of the Month award

The wicketkeeper-batter has been in exceptional form at the ongoing World Cup and last month hit three centuries at the global tournament.

Back-to-back centuries against Sri Lanka and Australia opened his account, and while he failed in subsequent outings against Netherlands and England, he smashed 174 against Bangladesh to restore his form.

De Kock's nomination for Player of the Month is his first since June 2021, and he has a strong case, with 431 runs at an average of 71.83.

The other players nominated for the awards are India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah and New Zealand batting sensation Rachin Ravindra.

Bumrah was at the heart of India's exceptional bowling displays as they began their campaign in the World Cup in destructive style.

He started his campaign with an impressive 2-35 against Australia at Chennai, before blitzing Afghanistan with four wickets for 39 runs in Delhi.

This continued in spectacular fashion, with the seamer taking 2-19 in a Player of the Match display against rivals Pakistan in Ahmedabad which included the prized wicket of Mohammad Rizwan with a brilliant slower ball. In all, Bumrah took 14 wickets at an average of 15.07 during October, also boasting a staggering economy of 3.91.

Having played in only 12 ODIs prior to the start of the tournament, it can be said that Ravindra's lightning start to the World Cup in India took some by surprise, but the 23-year-old immediately grabbed the headlines with 123 in 96 balls as New Zealand secured a nine-wicket opening day victory over defending champions England.

Ravindra followed this superb display up with half-centuries against Netherlands (51) and India (75), before a glittering 116 against Australia capped his memorable month.

He celebrates his first nomination after notching a total of 406 runs at an average of 81.20 in October.

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