The International Cricket Council (ICC) has unveiled the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 Team of the Tournament, recognizing the outstanding performances of players throughout the competition. India’s skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stands as the sole Indian representative in the prestigious lineup.
Kaur emerged as a beacon of hope for India amidst a challenging campaign. She topped the team’s scoring charts and ranked fourth overall in the tournament, amassing 150 runs in four innings. Her two half-centuries propelled her to an impressive average of 150 and a strike rate of 133.92, the fifth-best in the competition. Kaur’s blistering 52 off 27 balls against Sri Lanka played a pivotal role in keeping India’s semifinal hopes alive.
South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, the tournament’s captain, provided a solid foundation for her team at the top of the order. She surpassed 30 runs in all but one of her games, including four scores over 40. Her highest score came in South Africa’s opening match, but it was her resilient 42 in the semi-final that laid the groundwork for a successful chase against Australia.
Tazmin Brits, South Africa’s opener, formed a formidable partnership with Wolvaardt, driving the team to the final. Brits accumulated 187 runs in six innings, averaging an impressive 37.40. She surpassed 40 runs in three innings, including a match-winning unbeaten 57 in South Africa’s opening fixture against the West Indies.
England’s Danni Wyatt-Hodge emerged as a firecracker at the top of the order, notching up the most runs for her side. She registered scores of 40+ in each of England’s first three games. Wyatt-Hodge’s tournament highlight was an unbeaten 26-ball 51 against Scotland, guiding England to a 10-wicket win in a record partnership alongside Maia Bouchier.
New Zealand’s Melie Kerr, the Player of the Final and the Player of the Tournament, starred in her team’s title-winning campaign. She contributed both with the bat and ball, scoring 135 runs in six innings and taking 15 wickets, becoming the tournament’s leading wicket-taker. Her impressive 3 for 24 in the final, including the crucial wickets of Wolvaardt and Bosch, was pivotal in New Zealand’s victory.
Deandra Dottin shone for the West Indies on her return to international cricket. She scored 120 runs in five innings, averaging 40, and played a crucial role in the middle order. Her tournament-high nine sixes were unmatched, and she also contributed with the ball, taking five wickets, including a standout performance of 4 for 22 in the semifinal against New Zealand.
Bangladesh’s wicketkeeper Nigar Sultana Joty had a standout performance, excelling both behind the stumps and with the bat. She scored 104 runs in four innings, with a top score of 39 against the West Indies. Her best contributions came with the gloves, where she made six stumpings and took one catch, the highest total among wicketkeepers in the tournament.
Afy Fletcher came up clutch with the ball for the West Indies, finishing off with the third-most wickets. Despite not picking up a wicket in their opening game, the 37-year-old returned with strong performances, taking 10 wickets in total, including two 3-wicket hauls against Scotland and England.
New Zealand’s Rosemary Mair bookended her tournament with two outstanding displays. She returned the best figures for the White Ferns in their crucial opening win over India, taking 4/19, and was excellent again in the final, taking 3/25. With probing accuracy and big movement, Mair proved an important weapon for the champions.
South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba made her team’s tournament come to life with a brilliant 4/29 in their first game against the West Indies. She remained crucial throughout, varying her speeds and lengths to great effect. Her scalp of Tahlia McGrath ended a promising stand for Australia in the semi-final, and she also removed Suzie Bates and Melie Kerr in the final.
Australia’s reliable pacer Megan Schutt had a typically impactful outing, troubling batters throughout the innings. Her ability to maintain control was matched by her wicket-taking prowess. She was at her best in the group game against New Zealand, striking first and then taking wickets of Melie Kerr and Eden Carson to seal a dominant win for Australia.
