ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Team of the Tournament: Full Best XI Revealed

Australia Clinches Seventh Title Amid Outstanding Individual Campaigns

The latest edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup concluded with a familiar sight: the Australian national team lifting the trophy. Australia defeated England by 7 wickets in a highly anticipated final to claim a record-extending seventh Women’s T20 World Cup title. Opening batter Beth Mooney anchored the successful chase with a match-winning half-century, earning her the Player of the Match award. Her exceptional consistency throughout the tournament also earned her the coveted Player of the Tournament accolade.

Following the conclusion of the final, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced its official Team of the Tournament. Spanning multiple nations and featuring record-breaking statistical achievements, here is the comprehensive breakdown of the players who made the final XI.

The Official Team of the Tournament: Player-by-Player Analysis

1. Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England)

England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge was in sensational touch, finishing the tournament as the highest run-scorer with an aggregate of 302 runs. She maintained a superb average of 60.50 and scored at an aggressive strike rate close to 150. Wyatt-Hodge set the tone early in England’s campaign with a magnificent century against Sri Lanka, followed by two critical half-centuries. With this campaign, she became the first batter in the history of the Women’s T20 World Cup to score over 300 runs in a single edition. Although she was unable to deliver in the final, her overall impact was immense.

2. Beth Mooney (Australia)

Beth Mooney once again demonstrated her big-match temperament on the grandest stage. The Australian opening batter scored 238 runs across seven matches, averaging 47.60 with a strike rate above 142. Her match-winning half-century in the final proved decisive, marking her third consecutive fifty in a Women’s T20 World Cup final (following similar match-winning contributions in 2020 and 2023).

3. Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)

Nat Sciver-Brunt was the cornerstone of the England batting lineup. She accumulated 227 runs in just four matches at an extraordinary average of 113.50. Despite missing a portion of the tournament due to injury, Sciver-Brunt returned in the semi-final to score a crucial 75, guiding England to victory over South Africa. She remained unbeaten on 58 in the final, fighting valiantly despite Australia’s dominant bowling display.

4. Ellyse Perry (Australia)

Ellyse Perry delivered another outstanding all-round tournament. She scored 198 runs at an average of 49.50 and picked up four wickets. Perry’s ability to influence games at critical moments was recognized with three Player of the Match awards during Australia’s undefeated run to the title.

5. Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast enjoyed a breakthrough campaign. She scored 181 runs in five matches and took six wickets at an average of 20.33. Operating as a middle-order batter while also opening the bowling, Prendergast proved to be one of the most versatile and valuable players of the tournament.

6. Nilakshi Silva (Sri Lanka)

Sri Lanka’s Nilakshi Silva provided essential stability to her team’s middle order. She scored 148 runs in five matches and contributed one wicket. Although Sri Lanka failed to advance past the group stage, Silva’s dependable batting under pressure earned her a place among the tournament’s elite XI.

7. Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp delivered highly impactful performances with both bat and ball. She scored 124 runs at an average of 31 and claimed eight wickets. Her standout performance came against India, where she scored an unbeaten 81 and took two wickets to secure a vital win that helped South Africa reach the semi-finals.

8. Ash Gardner (Australia)

Ash Gardner excelled in her role as Australia’s premier finisher. She scored 150 runs in six matches at an impressive average of 50 and a strike rate of 170.45. Gardner scored two half-centuries, including an unbeaten 35 in the semi-final, and contributed three wickets with her off-spin.

9. Fatima Sana (Pakistan)

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana led her side with distinction. She scored 85 runs and took 11 wickets in five matches. Sana showed remarkable consistency by taking at least one wicket in every group-stage match, standing out as Pakistan’s top performer despite her team missing out on the knockouts.

10. Sophie Molineux (Australia) – Captain

Sophie Molineux led Australia with tactical excellence throughout the tournament. In addition to her captaincy, she was highly effective with the ball, taking 11 wickets in seven matches while maintaining a restrictive economy rate of just 6.25. Under her leadership, Australia won all seven of their matches to secure the championship.

11. Shree Charani (India)

India’s 21-year-old spinner Shree Charani was the leading wicket-taker of the tournament. She claimed 14 wickets in just five matches, surpassing Poonam Yadav’s previous Indian record of 10 wickets in a single edition of the tournament. Her dominant performances also propelled her to the top of the ICC bowler rankings during the event.

The 12th Player

Darcey Carter (Scotland)

Scotland’s Darcey Carter was named as the 12th player after scoring 208 runs in five matches. She played a central role in Scotland’s historic victory over the West Indies, scoring 59 runs, and finished the tournament as the fifth-highest run-scorer overall.

Summary of the Team

The final composition of the tournament’s best XI highlights the global spread of talent in the modern game:

• Opening Batters: Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England), Beth Mooney (Australia)
• Middle-Order: Nat Sciver-Brunt (England), Ellyse Perry (Australia)
• All-Rounders: Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Nilakshi Silva (Sri Lanka), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Ash Gardner (Australia), Fatima Sana (Pakistan)
• Bowlers: Sophie Molineux (Australia – Captain), Shree Charani (India)
• 12th Player: Darcey Carter (Scotland)