In the high-stakes world of women’s cricket, individual excellence shines alongside team victories. The Player of the Tournament award recognizes those who display brilliance and leave an indelible mark on the competition. This article talks about the stories of these standout performers, revisiting the exceptional batting displays, match-winning bowling spells, and all-round dominance that secured them the coveted Player of the Tournament title across various women’s cricket tournaments.
1. Claire Taylor (2009)
Claire Taylor’s explosive batting drove England to victory in the 2009 Cricket World Cup held in Australia. Her ability shone, amassing a total of 199 runs. Taylor’s consistent high-level performances were crucial, guiding England to victory in the final against New Zealand. Standout innings included a 75 runs off 54 balls against Sri Lanka and an unbeaten 76* off 53 balls against Australia, earning her Player of the Match in both.
These exceptional contributions secured Taylor the Player of the Tournament award, solidifying her role as a match-winner and leader in England’s search for their first ever World Cup title. Her ability to anchor the innings and deliver under pressure showcased her skill and determination on the global stage. Her performances cemented her reputation as one of the best in women’s cricket and highlighted her invaluable contribution to England’s dominance in the 2009 World Cup.
2. Nicola Browne (2010)
In the 2010 season, Nicola Browne of New Zealand emerged as a standout performer in the World Cup. Known for her exceptional bowling skills, Browne showcased her ability by taking a total of 9 wickets throughout the tournament and becoming the leading wicket-taker alongside Diana David. Her ability to consistently dismiss opposing batters played a crucial role in New Zealand’s campaign.
One of Browne’s standout performances came against Pakistan, where she delivered a stellar bowling spell, claiming 4 wickets for just 15 runs. This impressive performance earned her the Player of the Match award, underlining her impact and match-winning capabilities. Browne’s contributions were instrumental in her team’s successes, highlighting her skill and determination on the field. However, despite Browne’s amazing season, New Zealand ultimately fell short in the final, failing to clinch the coveted World Cup title.
3. Charlotte Edwards (2012)
Charlotte Edwards’s exceptional performance in the 2012 Cricket World Cup earned her Player of the Tournament honours. A renowned leader and batter, Edwards anchored England’s top order, amassing 172 runs throughout the competition and was the leading runs scorer. Edwards’ batting was pivotal for England’s success. She won Player of the Match against India with an unbeaten 50, guiding them to victory with a composed display. Similarly, her 33 runs off 37 balls against New Zealand earned her another Player of the Match award, showcasing her ability to perform under pressure.
Beyond runs, Edwards’ experience and leadership were invaluable. Her strategic insights and performances guided her team. This combination of batting skill and smart captaincy gave her an edge to claim the Player of the Tournament and solidified her status as a leading figure in women’s cricket. However, despite reaching the final, England fell short of clinching the World Cup title.
4. Anya Shrubsole (2014)
Unleashing pace, swing, and pinpoint accuracy, Shrubsole led England’s bowling attack in the 2014 Cricket World Cup, capturing a tournament-leading 13 wickets and constantly disrupting batters and becoming the leading wicket taker of the tournament. Her dominance was undeniable. Against India, she ripped through the batting order with a 3/6 performance, earning Player of the Match honours. Similar brilliance followed against Sri Lanka (3/9) and South Africa (2/12), securing Player of the Match awards in both matches. These clutch performances under pressure showcased her exceptional skills.
Beyond statistics, Shrubsole’s presence provided a defensive edge and set the tone for England’s bowling strategy. England fell short in the final, with Australia clinching the World Cup title. Shrubsole did manage to take a wicket in the final, proving her skills on the biggest stage. These performances cemented her reputation as a skilled and impactful bowler, solidifying her place among the season’s top players.
5. Stafanie Taylor (2016)
In the 2016 World Cup, Stafanie Taylor led West Indies’ historic championship run, their first in a global women’s tournament. Taylor’s all-round talent shone throughout. Batting, she amassed 246 runs and was the highest scorer of the tournament.
A crucial moment came against Bangladesh, Taylor’s bowling figures of 3/13 earned her Player of the Match, showcasing her ability to deliver under pressure with the ball. In the final against four-time champion Australia, Taylor’s leadership and batting were instrumental. Opening with Hayley Matthews, she set the foundation for the chase of Australia’s 148 runs. Her 59 runs from 57 balls, combined with Matthews’ explosive 66, formed a record-breaking 120-run partnership, the highest for the first wicket in a Women’s T20I for the West Indies. Though both Taylor and Matthews fell in the final five overs, their partnership of 120 runs laid the groundwork for victory. Deandra Dottin and Britney Cooper secured the win with three balls to spare. This victory marked a significant moment for Taylor and West Indies, placing them alongside Australia, England, and New Zealand as World Champions.
Stafanie Taylor’s performances in the 2016 World Cup cemented her legacy as one of the most influential players in women’s cricket. Her skill, leadership, and ability to perform on the big stage were undeniable.
6. Alyssa Healy (2018)
In 2018, Alyssa Healy’s aggressive batting spearheaded Australia’s dominance in the World Cup, ultimately earning her the prestigious Player of the Tournament award. Renowned for her rapid scoring, Healy amassed a crucial 225 runs throughout the competition, becoming the highest score runner for the team.
Healy’s impact was undeniable in key matches. She earned Player of the Match against Pakistan with 48 runs off just 29 deliveries, setting the tone with her aggressive stroke play. Similarly, against Ireland, her unbeaten 56 off 31 balls secured another Player of the Match award, highlighting her control of accelerating the innings. Notably, her 21-ball half-century in this match set a new record as the fastest at an ICC Women’s World Twenty20, showcasing her ability to score at an unmatched pace.
Further demonstrating her consistency, Healy was instrumental against New Zealand, scoring 53 runs off 38 balls to guide Australia to victory. Her ability to handle pressure situations was evident again against West Indies, where her 46 runs off 38 balls significantly contributed to her team’s performance. Healy continued her strong showing in the final, where Australia emerged victorious. She added 22 runs to her tournament tally, further solidifying her role in Australia’s win.
Overall, Alyssa Healy’s exceptional batting form and clutch performances in crucial moments were instrumental in Australia’s success during the 2018 tournament. Her aggressive approach and capability to dominate bowling attacks made her a formidable presence at the crease, solidifying her reputation as one of the premier players in women’s cricket.
7. Beth Mooney (2020)
In 2020, Beth Mooney’s explosive batting drove Australia’s charge to victory in the World Cup, ultimately securing her Player of the Tournament. Anchoring the top order, Mooney piled up an impressive 259 runs, which resulted in her becoming the top run scorer of the tournament. A defining moment arrived against Bangladesh. Partnering with Alyssa Healy, Mooney forged a record-breaking 151-run stand, the highest for Australia in WT20Is. This partnership showcased Mooney’s ability to build partnerships and set a dominant foundation for Australia.
Mooney’s consistent ability to build partnerships and rotate the strike effectively became a cornerstone of Australia’s batting strategy. Her reliable batting ensured Australia consistently posted competitive scores, remaining a force throughout the tournament. Australia won their match against India, where her unbeaten 78 off 54 runs displayed her composure under pressure, guiding Australia to a strong total. This performance underscored her ability to deliver in key matches.
Overall, Beth Mooney’s exceptional batting and consistency were instrumental in Australia’s success. Her skill and composure under pressure solidified her reputation as a top batter.
8. Ashleigh Gardner (2023)
In 2023, Ashleigh Gardner’s all-around dominance pushed Australia to victory in the World Cup, earning her Player of the Tournament honors. Gardner wielded both bat and ball with incredible skill, amassing 110 runs and taking 10 wickets throughout the competition. Her contributions proved instrumental in Australia’s success. A defining moment came against New Zealand. Gardner ripped through their batting order with an exceptional 5-wicket haul for just 12 runs, dismantling them and securing Player of the Match.
Gardner’s impact extended beyond this standout performance. Against India, her all-round skills were again on display, highlighting her versatility and crucial role in securing vital wins for Australia and earning the Player of the Match Award. Even in the high-pressure final against South Africa, Gardner continued to contribute, claiming a wicket, and leading the team to victory. Her consistent batting and bowling performances across the tournament were key factors in Australia’s success.