Sophia Dunkley’s consistent run of form with the bat has earned her the ICC Player of the Month award for July 2025, marking her first time receiving the prestigious honour. She narrowly beat out strong competition from England teammate Sophie Ecclestone and Ireland captain Gaby Lewis to claim the monthly award.
Reflecting on her award, Dunkley said, “I am delighted to win the ICC Player of the Month award off the back of a really hard-fought series against India. We would have loved to have won the series, but I think we’ll take a lot from it moving towards the ICC Women’s World Cup. India deserved their win, and it was a great series to be a part of.”
The 27-year-old had a slow start to the month in the second T20I against India in Bristol. However, she made a stunning comeback in the following match, delivering a match-winning 75 off 53 balls, a knock that played a key role in England’s narrow six-run victory.
In the fourth T20I in Manchester, Dunkley’s 19-ball 22 was the top score for England, who were restricted to just 126 runs. However, in the series finale, she once again stepped up, scoring a crucial 46 off 30 balls to guide England to a thrilling last-ball victory. That knock not only secured the win but also cemented Dunkley as England’s leading run-scorer in the T20I series against India.
Dunkley’s impressive form continued into the ODI series, beginning with a brilliant 83 in the opening match in Southampton. In the rain-affected second ODI at Lord’s, she remained unbeaten, helping England to a win. In the third ODI, Dunkley looked well in control, cruising to 34 off 36 balls, but a mix-up in the middle led to her being run out, prematurely ending what could’ve been another match-winning knock.
Across the five T20Is, Dunkley scored 151 runs at an average of 30.20, with an impressive strike rate of 136.03. Her strong form carried over into the ODIs, where she accumulated 126 runs at an average of 63 and a strike rate of 91.97, rounding off a standout all-round month with the bat for the in-form England batter.
Sophia Dunkley is currently representing Welsh Fire Women in The Hundred 2025, where she has scored 37 runs in 2 matches so far.
(Quotes sourced from ICC Media Release)
