Shamar Joseph's value skyrockets! Gabba hero crowned Player of the Month for January alongside Ireland's Amy Hunter

Shamar Joseph started his international career by taking the wicket of modern-day legend Steve Smith. Since then, the West Indies pace sensation has never taken a break from the headlines. The latest achievement for the 'Gabba Hero' is winning the Cricket Governing Body's Player of the Month Award for January 2024. 

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The cricket administrative body announced the shortlisted players for the men's and women's categories last week. It was revealed on Tuesday (February 13) that Joseph and Ireland's Amy Hunter were crowned champions. Joseph was rewarded for his magical spell in Test cricket against the world champions in Australia. Meanwhile, the Irish young batter Hunter claimed the Women's Player of the Month after her impressive scores in the shorter format series against Zimbabwe.

A right-arm fast bowler, Joseph stunned the cricketing world with a fifer on his debut in Adelaide. However, his heroics in the second Test in Brisbane will go down in the history books. The 24-year-old produced a sensational performance in the second innings while defending a modest target of 216. His seven-wicket haul shattered the Australian batting unit and helped West Indies script history at the Gabba. 

Joseph recalls Gabba's moments after winning the award

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West Indies leveled the two-match series 1-1 after winning their first Test on Australian soil in nearly 30 years. Following his remarkable performance, Joseph was roped in by Peshawar Zalmi for the Pakistan Premier League (PKL) 2024 season and also bagged an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract with Lucknow Super Giants in the upcoming edition. There is no doubt that his value has skyrocketed with his latest achievement. 

After winning Men’s Player of the Month for January, Joseph, said: “I am extremely delighted to win this award. To get such an award on the world stage feels special. I totally enjoyed every moment of that experience playing for West Indies in Australia, especially the magic of the final day at the Gabba. Taking the wicket to win the match was a dream!" 

Amy Hunter was instrumental in Ireland's crucial win in Zimbabwe last month. She was explosive in the T20I series in Harare, scoring a century and two half-centuries. The 18-year-old's glittering 101 not out in just 66 balls helped Ireland to seal a 57-run victory in the first match. Her 220 runs in the series came at an impressive strike rate of 144.73 

“It’s an honour to win the ICC Women’s Player of the Month award for January. To be on a shortlist alongside two of the world’s best is something that I am immensely proud of. It’s been an amazing start to the year, with two convincing series wins against Zimbabwe. I am pleased to have been able to contribute to the team’s success and hope to continue to do so," Hunter shared her happiness after winning the award.