The competition for the ICC Men's Player of the Month award for December 2024 is heating up, as two of the world’s premier fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins, face off once again, alongside Dane Paterson of South Africa. The trio, all of whom have delivered exceptional performances during December, are competing for the prestigious honor.
Jasprit Bumrah has had a standout year, being nominated for the Sir Garfield Sobers ICC Player of the Year for 2024. His performances in the recently concluded Border-Gavaskar Trophy were almost unplayable, claiming 32 wickets in five Tests before a back injury sidelined him in the final innings of the series. As India's captain in the first and last Tests, Bumrah led his side to victory in the opener in Perth, surpassing the legendary Bishan Singh Bedi's record for most wickets by an Indian bowler in a Test series in Australia. He took a remarkable 22 wickets in December alone, showcasing his dominance with the ball. Bumrah’s performance helped India retain their place among the elite teams, but he could turn matches with consistent wickets that placed him among the nominees for this award.
On the other hand, Pat Cummins has been instrumental in Australia's success, leading the team to their first Border-Gavaskar Trophy win in 10 years. Under his leadership, Australia triumphed 3-1 in the series, outclassing India in the final four Tests. Cummins was a standout performer with the ball, claiming 25 wickets and proving pivotal with the bat, scoring over 150 runs. His defining moment came in Adelaide, where his 5/57 was crucial to Australia’s 10-wicket victory. Additionally, Cummins’ contributions in Melbourne, where he scored important knocks of 49 and 41 runs, and picked up six wickets, were crucial in securing another win for Australia. His leadership and all-around contributions have made him one of the standout players of the series.
Dane Paterson, representing South Africa, has also been a revelation. His performances were key in helping South Africa secure their place in the 2025 World Test Championship final. Paterson’s standout December performances included match-winning figures of 5/71 against Sri Lanka and 5/61 against Pakistan, both of which led South Africa to important victories. Over two Tests, he claimed 13 wickets at an impressive average of 16.92, cementing his reputation as a reliable fast bowler in critical moments. His efforts played a vital role in South Africa’s historic qualification for the WTC final, showcasing his impact on the game at the highest level.
With Pat Cummins and Dane Paterson set to face off in the World Test Championship final in June 2025, this December award nomination adds another layer of excitement to their rivalry, as all three fast bowlers have played pivotal roles for their teams in recent months.
