Dubai: New Zealand fast bowler Nathan Smith has been named the ICC Player of the Month for June 2026 following his impressive performance during the ICC World Test Championship.
The 28-year-old was instrumental in New Zealand’s memorable 2-1 Test series win over England, leading wicket-taker and spearheading the Black Caps’ fragile pace attack.
Smith beat Bangladesh all-rounder Mossadegh Hossain and India’s Shubman Gill to win the monthly award.
Responding to the honor, Smith said he was happy to receive the recognition, but insisted that the team’s success was his top priority.
“It’s really special. It’s been a great England tour for the lads and it’s been fantastic,” said Smith. “I don’t usually play for individual awards, but it’s nice to get this recognition and, more importantly, contribute to the series win.
“Personally, it was very satisfying to contribute to the win. That’s all I want to do for New Zealand – try my best and contribute as much as I can.”
Smith finished the series with 16 wickets, the most by any bowler, and was named Man of the Series despite New Zealand’s defeat in the opening Test at Lord’s.
His best display came in the opening match of the series, where he took three wickets in England’s first innings, before producing excellent figures of 6/70 in the second innings. This performance also gave him the best match statistics of his career, although it ended in defeat.
The right-arm pacer continued to make important contributions as New Zealand won the final two Tests to complete a remarkable comeback series win.
Although he took only one wicket in the second Test, Smith made a useful contribution to the batting, scoring 38 runs in the second innings to strengthen New Zealand’s position.
In the series-deciding third Test, Smith recovered figures of 4/91 in the first innings to help them take a crucial 82-run lead, before picking up two more wickets in the second innings to give New Zealand a memorable 2–1 series win.
With several first-choice New Zealand pacers sidelined by injury, Smith rose to the occasion, leading an inexperienced bowling attack with distinction and cementing his status as one of the month’s players.