ICC names Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2024

 Saim Ayub, Kamindu Mendis, Gus Atkinson, and Shamar Joseph were among nominees of coveted title

Sri Lanka's Kamindu Mendis has been named as the Men's Emerging Cricketer of the Year for 2024 by the International Cricket Council (ICC) following his splendid performances in the red-ball format.

Mendis, who scored 1,451 runs across all formats at an average just above 50, stood out alongside some of cricket's greats in 2024.

Having started the year with just one Test appearance for Sri Lanka, the left-handed batter has ended it as a cornerstone of the team across all formats. He has not only secured his position as a key player but has also become Sri Lanka's go-to performer in high-pressure and critical moments.

A pivotal figure in Sri Lanka's campaign to secure their maiden ICC World Test Championship Final spot, the 26-year-old delivered a series of crucial innings. He became one of only six batters to score over 1,000 Test runs in the calendar year, boasting the highest average among them.

The middle-order batter seized his opportunities with consistency and flair, amassing five centuries and three fifties. His outstanding contributions proved decisive in Sri Lanka’s Test victories over New Zealand, Bangladesh, and England, both at home and overseas.

In England, he emerged as Sri Lanka's highest run-scorer during a three-Test series, playing a crucial role in their first Test victory on English soil in a decade.

His most extraordinary performance came in the second Test against New Zealand in Galle, where he notched a career-best score in the longest format. His unbeaten 182 in the first innings, featuring 16 boundaries and four sixes off 250 balls, was the cornerstone of Sri Lanka's imposing total of 602/5, helping secure a 2-0 series sweep. For this incredible effort, he was named Player of the Match.

Mendis also joined an elite club by becoming the joint-third fastest batter to reach 1,000 Test runs in Men’s cricket, equaling Sir Don Bradman’s record of achieving the milestone in just 13 innings.

Reflecting on his achievements, Mendis said:
"Winning two ICC Player of the Month Awards in 2024 and being named the ICC Emerging Men's Cricketer of the Year is a source of immense joy and pride. These honors are a testament to the hard work and dedication I’ve invested in my game, supported by my coaches, teammates, family, and friends."

"Playing international cricket has always been a childhood dream, and showcasing my skills on this stage is both an honor and the result of relentless effort. Moving forward, my goal is to build on these early performances and use them as a foundation to reach even greater heights in the sport."

He concluded by acknowledging his fellow nominees:
"I want to recognize the exceptional talent of my peers — Gus, Shamar, and Saim — all of whom are outstanding players."