Women's T20 World Cup 2024: Best Playing XI of the Tournament

After intense and scintillating clashes with the best women's teams in the cricket space, the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup draws its curtains with New Zealand scalping their first-ever title against a promising South African side. In summary of their experience and the emerging players' squad, the White Ferns have surpassed the ten robust arsenals needed to win this tournament after being two-time runners-up.

As mentioned earlier, the tournament has seen the clash of best vs best, with many promising players displaying impeccable calibre and intent. By this, all these players deserve to be a part of one team, which implies their performance. That said, here's the Best Playing XI, the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup edition. 

1.Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

Laura Wolvaardt has been the face of South Africa's top-order batting, with her captaincy skills being the cherry on the top. Leading her Proteas side for the first time and leading to their second-consecutive Women's T20 World Cup is no minor deal. Her stint of 223 runs in six matches, with a half-century and an average of over 45, has made her the highest run-scorer of the ninth edition of the tournament.

2. Tazmin Brits (South Africa)

Runners-up South Africa's major positive takeaway would be their batting performance, and it is no surprise that the openers have created the foundation for it. With the opening captain, Laura Wolvaardt, the second opener, also fulfilled the expectations in the form of Tazmin Brits. She helped bolster the batting and gave the team the attacking start desired. In her six-match tournament stint, she has made 187 runs, averaging over 38 and one half-century.

3. Danielle Wyatt-Hodge (England)

Dannielle Wyatt has associated with the women's English side as a reliable run-getter. As it implies, she has helped the side make some runs in their group-stage end run. She has scored 151 runs in just four matches, at a commendable average of over 50.

4. Sophie Devine (New Zealand) (Captain)

New Zealand captain Sophie Devine is one of the few women's cricket circle players representing her national side in all the Women's T20 World Cup tournaments. As an experienced campaigner, Devine ended her captaincy stint on a high by leading their White Ferns side to their first-ever Women's T20 World Cup title. Making her the captain of this Best XI squad is a no-brainer. She has made 116 runs in six matches at an average of over 30 in the tournament.

5. Amelia Kerr (New Zealand)

Amelia Kerr has got her recognition for her all-rounder ability. But, this time, her bowling expertise did the trick for the triumphant New Zealand side in the tournament. Kerr has helped her side scalp crucial wickets at the right game time. Being the highest wicket-taker of the tournament, she has taken 15 wickets in just six matches, with one four-wicket haul and made 135 runs

6. Alyssa Healy (Australia) (Wicketkeeper)

Though Alyssa Healy got injured mid-way through the tournament, Alyssa Healy deserves to be on this list. Dealing with the slow and turning pitches, she has made vital decisions in restricting the opposition batters to minimal scores, considering the intensity of the T20I format. In her short three-match stint, she has made 67 runs but has a noteworthy strike rate and an average of over 145 and 34, respectively.

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7. Afy Fletcher (West Indies)

Though the 2016 West Indies champions couldn't convert a triumph after a stellar performance, Afy Fletcher is one of the players behind the Carribean's side performance. The right-arm leg spinner dominated in the spin-friendly conditions of UAE and scalped ten wickets in just five matches.

8. Annabel Sutherland (Australia)

Annabel Sutherland did her usual business of being the go-to spin option for the Aussies side. Sutherland deserves to be the second-leading spinner, thanks to her performance in the tournament. She has taken nine wickets in five matches, signifying her impact with the ball and spin.

9. Rosemary Mair (New Zealand)

Rosemary Mair from the champion New Zealand side did the trick by delivering quick and pace deliveries to the batters. In just six appearances of the tournament, she has scalped ten wickets at an economy of just five, with one four-wicket haul.

10. Nonukuleko Mlaba (South Africa)

Nonukuleko Mlaba from the South African side would help robusten the pace of this Best XI squad's attack. Known for delivering hostile and lethal quick deliveries, Mlaba has scalped 12 wickets in just six matches at an economy of just 5.66.

11. Megan Schutt (Australia)

Megan Schutt symbolises consistency for the Women's Australia pace department. She has been an integral part of Australia's seam assault with her huge inswingers and leg cutter as her signature deliveries, which can be vividly seen in her tournament stint. She has taken eight wickets in five outings at a praiseworthy economy of just four.