The International Cricket Council (ICC) has revealed its official Women’s Cricket World Cup Team of the Tournament, celebrating the top performers from the recent championship. Champions India impressively have three players included in this elite lineup, matching the representation from runners-up South Africa. India’s stars are opener Smriti Mandhana, batter Jemimah Rodrigues, and the Player of the Tournament, Deepti Sharma. South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, not only leads this formidable side but also set a new World Cup record by scoring an incredible 571 runs at an average of 71.37.
The full 11-player squad also features three exceptional Australian players: Annabel Sutherland, Ash Gardner, and Alana King, all of whom played a crucial role in their team reaching the semifinals. England’s Sophie Ecclestone was recognized for her outstanding bowling, while Pakistan’s wicketkeeper, Sidra Nawaz, earned a spot as the sole representative from a team that didn’t make it to the final four.
Smriti Mandhana proved her batting prowess by finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer. She amassed 434 runs with an impressive average of 54.25, which included a memorable century against New Zealand in Navi Mumbai, along with two fifties.
As the captain of the Team of the Tournament, Laura Wolvaardt consistently displayed exceptional batting skills. Her remarkable performance included scoring centuries in both crucial knockout matches: a powerful 169 against England in the semifinals and a resilient 101 in the final match against India.
Jemimah Rodrigues solidified her position in the team with a series of consistent performances, highlighted by an unbeaten 127 against Australia in the semifinals. She concluded the tournament with 292 runs at an average of 58.40, comprising one century and one half-century.
Marizanne Kapp from South Africa demonstrated incredible all-round talent, contributing 208 runs with the bat and taking 12 wickets with the ball. Her standout game in the semifinal, where she took 5 wickets for just 20 runs and scored 42 runs, was pivotal to South Africa’s journey.
Australia’s Ash Gardner was a formidable presence, excelling with both bat and ball. She scored an impressive 328 runs at an average of 82, including two centuries, and also claimed seven wickets. Notably, her fastest century of the tournament was a blistering 69-ball effort against England.
Deepti Sharma’s exceptional all-round contributions rightfully earned her the Player of the Tournament award. She led the wicket-takers with 22 dismissals and also added 215 runs with the bat, including a vital 5 wickets for 39 runs and 58 runs in the final against South Africa.
Annabel Sutherland was Australia’s top wicket-taker, securing 17 wickets at an average of 15.82. She also made valuable contributions with the bat, scoring 117 runs, including an impressive unbeaten 98 against England.
Nadine de Klerk, another South African standout, showed her worth as an all-rounder, scoring 208 runs at an average of 52 and taking nine wickets. A particular highlight was her explosive unbeaten 84 against India during the group stage.
Despite Pakistan’s early exit, wicketkeeper Sidra Nawaz topped the tournament in dismissals, achieving eight in total (four catches and four stumpings).
Alana King’s effective leg-spin accounted for 13 wickets at an average of 17.38, including a phenomenal, record-breaking spell of 7 wickets for just 18 runs against South Africa.
Sophie Ecclestone continued to demonstrate why she is the top-ranked ODI bowler, taking 16 wickets at an average of 14.25, which included a strong performance of 4 wickets for 44 runs in the semifinal against South Africa.
Finally, England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt was selected as the 12th player for her impressive all-round efforts, scoring 262 runs and taking nine wickets, including a century against Sri Lanka.