Chamari Athapaththu among ICC Women’s player of the month

Apair of stars from South Africa and an experienced Sri Lankan batter are in the running for the ICC Women's Player of the Month Award for September 2023.

Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
The Sri Lanka spinner led from the front yet again as she powered her side to an upset series triumph over England away from home at the start of September.

While Athapaththu wasn't at her best with the bat during that series, the left-hander more than made up for that with some standout performances in T20Is during the month.

Athapaththu scored a half-century against England at the start of the month and then was back among the runs at the Asia Cup later in September against Thailand, Pakistan and India.

Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
The stylish South Africa right-hander was at her brilliant best during September as she continued her excellent run of form with the bat against Pakistan and New Zealand.

Wolvaardt led her side to an ODI victory over Pakistan in her new role as captain, before striking magnificent innings of 50 and 124* against New Zealand on home soil.

In total Wolvaardt scored 204 ODI runs at an average of 51 during the month and an equally impressive 157 runs in T20I matches at an even better average of 52.33.

Nadine de Klerk (South Africa)
The emerging South Africa all-rounder provided strong contributions with both bat and ball during the month of September.

De Klerk hit a superb half-century in the final match of South Africa's series against Pakistan in Karachi and then backed up that effort with an unbeaten 58* in the opening game of the series with New Zealand in Potchefstroom.

The 23-year-old's best performance with the ball came in the second game of the series with Pakistan as the right-armer collected 4/32 from eight overs. (ICC)