Irish seamer Arlene Kelly won the Women's Player Of The Month For August 2023. She recently took 10 wickets in the three-match T20I series against the Dutches to help her side claim a 3-0 whitewash. She bowled with an average of 4.30 which is the fourth-best bowling average in a bilateral series with 10 or more wickets.
"I'm honoured to win the award for the month of August and grateful for the opportunities that cricket has provided. The series win in the Netherlands was memorable, and being able to contribute with the ball made it that little bit more special," Kelly said.
The shortlist for the ICC Women's Player of the Month Award featured three first-time nominees; a Malaysian all-rounder, an Irish seamer, and a Dutch opener. Ainna Hamizah Hashim was a key figure for Malaysia. She scored some valuable runs and took vital wickets against the likes of Kuwait and Nepal. Then she registered a good performance in their opening fixture in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. Dutch opener Iris Zwilling posted half-centuries atop the order against Ireland and Jersey during her successful month. The winner Arlene Kelly was the other one amongst the competitors.
Kelly enjoyed an amazing month with the ball in August. She helped her side sweep the Netherlands 3-0 in Amstelveen. Her ten wickets included a Player of the Match performance in the first T20I. She delivered a spell of five wickets for 12 runs. She will hope to follow in the footsteps of Laura Delany. Laura last won the Women's Player of the Month prize for Ireland in October 2021.