Mithali Raj named skipper of ICC women’s cricket World Cup XI
Mithali Raj, whose inspired leadership helped India reach the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup, has been named skipper of the tournament XI announced on Monday.
The India skipper led from the front, hitting a century and two half-centuries, with the high point of her leadership being the 36-run victory over six-time champions Australia in the semifinals.
India lost to England in the final at Lord’s, a batting collapse resulting in a nine-run defeat in the tense match.
All-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma are the other Indians in the eleven, which has five players from the victorious England team. Harmanpreet was the biggest impact player for India, smashing an unbeaten 171 off 115-balls to upstage Australia in the semis.
There are four members of the England women’s team in the Women’s World Cup XI, including Tamsin Beaumont, who was declared Player of the Tournament, and seamer Anya Shrubsole, who captured six wickets in the final to shatter Indian hopes of claiming a maiden title.
South Africa, who lost to England in the semifinal, also have three members in the line-up while six-time champions Australia find only one member in the line-up – all-rounder Ellyse Perry.
The team was chosen by a selection panel of Geoff Allardice (ICC General Manager – Cricket, and chairman, event technical committee), former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, former England women’s team captain Charlotte Edwards, former Australia all-rounder Lisa Sthalekar and ex-India player turned journalist Snehal Pradhan.
Women’s World Cup XI (with performance):
Tamsin Beaumont (Player of the Tournament) (England) – 410 runs
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) – 324 runs
Mithali Raj (captain) (India) – 409 runs
Ellyse Perry (Australia) – 404 runs and nine wickets
Sarah Taylor (wk) (England) – 396 runs, four catches and two stumpings
Harmanpreet Kaur (India) – 359 runs and five wickets
Deepti Sharma (India) – 216 runs and 12 wickets
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa) – 13 wickets
Dane van Niekerk (South Africa) – 99 runs and 15 wickets
Anya Shrubsole (England) – 12 wickets
Alex Hartley (England) – 10 wickets
12th: Natalie Sciver (England) – 369 runs and seven wickets