Australia’s Mitchell Starc and South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt have won the ICC Player of the Month for February after their fine efforts in a month that had seen them rise above high-quality teams.
Starc, player of the series in Australia´s 4-1 Ashes win, claimed 16 wickets at an average of 21.25 in December while scoring 139 runs across three Tests.
The standout performance was his match haul of eight wickets and 77 with the bat in Brisbane, which saw him receive Player of the Match honours for the second Test. He was also a more than handy 54 in the series-deciding Test at Adelaide.
Mitchell Starc was named ahead of New Zealand quick Jacob Duffy and West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves.
Mitchell Starc said:
“It’s an honour to be named the ICC Player of the Month, and even more special that it came on the back of such a successful home Ashes. To have played a part in winning such an iconic series in front of our home crowd is something we will all relish for a long time.
Mitchell Starc
“As a team we’ve had some outstanding performances in the last few years. The focus now is on building that momentum towards a place in next year’s ICC World Test Championship Final.”
Mitchell Starc
Wolvaardt scored 255 runs at a strike rate of 111.84 in three ODIs against Ireland at home, as well as 137 runs in two T20Is at an impressive strike rate of 190.27. She finished at the top of the order in both formats, with three centuries.
Laura Wolvaardt was named Player of the Series in the One Day Internationals after she followed up, back-to-back 124 and 100 not out with an unbeaten 115 in the first Twenty20 International. She beat Sune Luus of South Africa and India opener Shafali Verma, to take her second ICC Player of the Month award in three months.
Laura Wolvaardt said:
“I’m delighted to be named the ICC Player of the Month once again. To win it two times in three months is very special and something I’ll cherish for a long time. I loved batting throughout Ireland’s tour of South Africa, and it was hugely rewarding to contribute with runs across both the ODI and T20I formats.
“With the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on the horizon, my focus is firmly on carrying this momentum forward. We’ve shown real progress in recent ICC events, and I’m excited about the summer ahead in England and Wales. I hope to continue playing my part and help take the team all the way.”
