The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup had everything one could ask for, from last-over thrillers to sensational performances that stole the show.
India may have lifted the trophy after a win over South Africa, but the tournament was also about the players who gave it life with their performances.
Every team had someone who rose above the noise, the player who stood tall and made a difference.
Here’s a look back at those standout performers, one from every side who made this World Cup unforgettable.
ICC Women's Cricket World Cup Team of the Tournament revealed.
Deepti Sharma (India)
Deepti Sharma was the driving force behind India’s first title win, earning the Aramco Player of the Tournament award. She topped the wicket charts with 22 scalps, scoring 215 runs and saved her best for the final by claiming 5/39 and adding 58 against South Africa.
She struck with a wicket in every game besides scoring three fifties, the joint-most in the tournament and her consistency made her India’s most valuable player.
The Agra-born allrounder also scripted a new record, becoming the first-ever cricketer to take over 20 wickets and score more than 200 runs in a single Women’s World Cup edition.
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
Laura Wolvaardt lit up the tournament with centuries in both knockout games, along with three fifties earlier in the group stage. She first smashed a breathtaking 169 in the semifinal which was the highest score of the tournament before following it up with a superb 101 in the final.
Across the tournament, the South Africa skipper smashed 73 boundaries and amassed 571 runs, the most ever in a Women’s World Cup.
Her performances not only ensured a memorable campaign for South Africa but also took her to No 1 in the ICC ODI batting rankings, surpassing Smriti Mandhana.
Ash Gardner (Australia)
Ash Gardner stood tall in a star-studded Australian side, remaining a constant threat with both bat and ball. The world No 1 ODI allrounder racked up 328 runs that included two centuries and a 50, while claiming seven wickets in seven matches.
Her 69-ball ton against England was the fastest of the tournament, where she also bagged two wickets in the same game. Gardner’s fifty in the semifinal against India capped off a stellar campaign in which she averaged a remarkable 82, the highest of any batter in the tournament
Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)
England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt once again proved her all-round brilliance, scoring 262 runs and picking nine wickets. She hit a century and a fifty, leading England confidently through the group stage.
Her fighting half-century in the semifinal wasn’t enough to stop South Africa, but she enjoyed a brilliant tournament, finishing as England’s second-highest run-getter and third-highest wicket-taker.
Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
Captain Chamari Athapaththu continued to be Sri Lanka’s backbone, contributing in both departments. In six matches, she scored 168 runs and took five wickets, finishing as the team’s joint second-highest run-scorer and wicket-taker.
Her best display came in Sri Lanka’s only win against Bangladesh where she scored 46 and then took 4/42.
Athapaththu’s all-round performances stood out in an otherwise mixed campaign as Sri Lanka finished a respectable fifth on the table.
Sophie Devine (New Zealand)
New Zealand captain Sophie Devine led from the front, keeping her team in semifinal contention until the final week of the league stage. She scored a century and two fifties in her first three games, including a fighting ton against Australia in the opener.
With the ball, she also chipped in with four wickets and signed off from women’s ODIs on a high.
Sharmin Akter (Bangladesh)
Sharmin Akter delivered steady performances with the bat for her side.
She scored two fifties and found form late in the tournament. Her fifty against South Africa and unbeaten 64 against Sri Lanka came in narrow defeats but showcased her grit.
Bangladesh will take heart from the performance of the likes of Sharmin, and hope she continues to deliver in upcoming ICC events.
Fatima Sana (Pakistan)
Fatima Sana was a fighter to the core in what was a tough campaign for Pakistan. The pacer took 10 wickets in seven games, the most for her team, and finished among the top 10 wicket takers overall.
She picked up at least one wicket in every match, with her best figures of 4/27 coming against England. Pakistan came close to a sensational win after reducing England to 133/9 before rain washed out the clash.
