Jonny Bairstow wins ICC Player of the Month award

Dubai: England batter Jonny Bairstow has been named ICC Player of the Month award for June for his tremendous recent run of form.

Bairstow leapfrogged team-mate Joe Root and New Zealand batter Daryl Mitchell for the coveted monthly award, after the veteran scored brilliant centuries in consecutive matches against New Zealand.

Bairstow produced a match-winning knock of 136 on the final day of the second Test in Nottingham to help England chase down 299 for victory.

The 32-year-old backed that up with knocks of 162 and 71* in the final Test of the series in Leeds to help his side clinch another thrilling victory and an emphatic series sweep.

The right-hander was thrilled to accept the award. "It has been an incredible five weeks for England. It has been a positive start to our summer with four excellent wins against high-class opposition in New Zealand and India. We are enjoying our cricket as a team and playing with clarity and positivity," Bairstow said.

"Even though I have scored four centuries in this period, I would like to acknowledge my teammates who have been excellent in every department and playing with immense confidence," he added. (UNI)