Australia defeated South Africa by 19 runs in the finals of the ICC T20 World Cup 2023 played at Newlands, Cape Town on 26 February 2023. By the virtue of this win, they recorded their sixth T20 World Cup title and defended their title.
There were some good performances from all 10 teams. Smriti Mandhana finished as the leading run-getter for the Indian women’s team in the World Cup but was not able to find a place in the team of the tournament.
The team was chosen by experts including Ian Bishop, Melanie Jones, and Ebony Rainford Brunt, journalist Firdose Moonda with ICC Women’s Cricket Manager Snehal Pradhan acting as convenor. Fan voting on icc.cricket.com also resulted in the selection of the team.
Here we look at the playing XI for the ICC Team of the tournament.
- Tazmin Brits
The South African opener had a decent outing in the tournament. After not a good start to the tournament, Brits showed her attacking skills with 45 against Australia in the Group game and then well compiled an unbeaten 50 against Bangladesh to qualify for the semi-finals.
Brits played another superb knock with 68 runs in the second semi-finals against England that helped South Africa post a competitive total. He ended with a total of 186 runs at an average of 37.20.
- Alyssa Healy
Alyssa Healy led from the front while opening the innings for Australia. She scored 189 runs from 5 matches (5 innings) in the tournament. The wicketkeeper batter started the tournament with 55 against New Zealand, 37 against Bangladesh, and then an unbeaten 54 against Sri Lanka. She did not feature in the last group game.
She made 25 in the first semi-finals against Australia and contributed 18 runs in the finals against Australia. Her contributions helped the Aussies gave decent starts making life tough for opponent bowlers.
- Laura Wolvaardt
The South African opener finished as the leading run-getter in the tournament with 230 runs. She contributed 18, 13, and 19 in her first outings but raised to the occasion. Laura made an unbeaten 66 against Bangladesh helping South Africa win the match by 10 wickets.
She produced another magical knock of 53 in the semi-finals against England and helped South Africa post a big total. Laura’s 61 went in vain as she could not help the hosts cross the line against eventual champions Australia.
- Nat Sciver Brunt (C)
Nat Sciver Brunt displayed an attacking display of batting in the tournament for England. She scored 216 runs from 5 matches at a strike rate of 141. The all-rounder began the tournament with an unbeaten 40 against West Indies, with back-to-back half-centuries against India and Pakistan. She was dismissed cheaply against Ireland.
Sciver Brunt looked in great touch with 40 off 34 against South Africa in the semi-finals but England could not qualify for the finals.
- Ash Gardner
Ash Gardner played a key role for Australia with both bat and ball. She started the tournament with career-best figures of 5 for 12 in the opening match against New Zealand.
She contributed with both bat and ball against Bangladesh and also South Africa in the Group stage. Gardner played an important role in the semi-finals against India with a quickfire 31 off 18 balls and 2 wicket haul.
Gardner picked up 10 wickets with the ball and scored 110 runs with all-around contribution in the finals against South Africa. For her all-around contribution, she was named the player of the tournament.
- Richa Ghosh
Richa Ghosh had a decent outing with the gloves including five catches and two stumpings. She contributed with valuable knocks in the opening match against Pakistan remaining not out along with Jemimah Rodrigues.
She then followed with another special knock against West Indies that helped India register an easy win. Ghosh could not help India cross the line against England but looked in decent shape. The Indian wicketkeeper scored 136 runs from 5 matches at an average of 68.
- Sophie Ecclestone
Sophie Ecclestone looked impressive in the tournament for England with 11 wickets keeping the pressure on opponent batters with discipline lines and lengths.
She ended up as the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. Ecclestone took 3 wicket hauls against West Indies, Ireland, and South Africa. Her figures against India ended with 1 for 14 and looked impressive against Pakistan with 1 for 11.
- Karishma Ramharack
Karishma Ramharack had a decent outing for West Indies in a disappointing outing. She grabbed 5 wickets in 3 matches at an economy rate of 4.16 runs per over.
She was simply sensational with her bowling with 2 for 14 against India and 2 for 18 against Ireland. The off-spinner took 1 for 18 against Pakistan which was her worst figure of the tournament.
West Indies won two matches in the tournament defeating Pakistan in a thriller and then defeating Ireland.
- Shabnim Ismail
Shabnim Ismail did not disappoint in front of the home crowd. She displayed great bowling skills with 8 wickets from 6 matches and helped the team to reach their maiden T20 World Cup finals.
She gave with an economy of 5.86 runs per over. Ismail was the star of the show with the match-winning effort against England in the semi-finals and then produced another superb show in the finals against Australia.
- Darice Brown
Darcie Brown looked impressive with her shot bowl abilities to surprise. She picked up 7 wickets in the entire tournament but a match-winning spell against India in the semi-finals.
She was impressive with her economy rate of 4.75 runs per over keeping the opponent batters under check. Her performance showed consistency in bounce and made sure that Australia win the matches.
- Megan Schutt
Megan Schutt provided the early breakthroughs for Australia. He grabbed a total of 10 wickets in the tournament. She was simply outstanding picking wickets in each match.
She began the tournament with 2 for 8 against New Zealand in the opening match and 4 for 24 in the match against Sri Lanka. Schutt looked impressive during finals giving away 23 runs in her 4 overs and grabbing the wicket of Laura Wolvaardt.
- Orla Prendergast
The Ireland batter Orla Prendergast looked impressive in the ICC T20 World Cup. Despite not winning matches, she showed her skills with attacking shots and also picked 3 wickets in the tournament.
She proved her abilities with a well-complied half-century against West Indies. Orla scored 17 and picked 1 for 13 in the opening match against England. She then took 2 for 22 in 4 overs against Ireland which made her think about what she can do with more experience.
Orla scored 109 runs at an average of 27.25 and took 3 wickets. She played against top-quality teams like England, Pakistan, India, and West Indies.
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