ICC announces team of Women’s World Cup 2022, Meg Lanning named captain

The International Cricket Council has announced the team of the Women’s World Cup 2022 after Australia clinched the crown for the seventh time in the history of the tournament. The team was picked by a panel of ICC’s Chris Tetley, commentators Lisa Sthalekar, Nasser Hussain, and Natalie Germanos, and journalists Alok Gupta and Kristy Havill among others.

Meg Lanning, who led Australia to their fourth ICC title, has been named as the captain of the team whereas no Indian player could make the cut. The team has four players from Australia, two from England, three from South Africa, and one each from West Indies and Bangladesh.

Laura Wolvaardt and Alyssa Healy have been picked as openers. The South African scored 433 runs in eight matches at an average of 54.12 whereas Healy was awarded the Player of the tournament for top-scoring with 509 runs in nine games at 56.56.

Lanning will bat at one down as she scored 394 runs in nine games at an average of 56.29. Rachael Haynes was also superb throughout the tourney for Australia as she scored 497 runs in nine games at an average of 62.12.

Natalie Sciver, who scored an incredible knock of 148* in the final against Australia, takes fifth place in the batting order. Sciver amassed 436 runs in nine games at 72.67.

Beth Mooney was absolutely sensational for Australia as she gathered 330 runs in nine matches at an astonishing average of 110. Hayley Mathews, who scored 260 runs in seven innings and also picked 10 wickets, is the solitary player from West Indies.

Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa) and Salma Khatun (Bangladesh) constitute the bowling unit. Kapp took 12 wickets in eight matches and also scored valuable runs for the Proteas.

Ecclestone ended the tournament as the highest wicket-taker with 21 scalps in nine matches whereas Ismail bagged 14 wickets in eight matches. Salma Khatun took 10 wickets in seven matches for Bangladesh.

England’s Charlie Dean was named as the 12th player of the team as she took 11 wickets in six matches.

ICC’s Upstox Most Valuable Team: Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa), Alyssa Healy (wk) (Australia), Meg Lanning (capt) (Australia), Rachael Haynes (Australia), Nat Sciver (England), Beth Mooney (Australia), Hayley Matthews (West Indies), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Sophie Ecclestone (England), Shabnim Ismail (South Africa), Salma Khatun (Bangladesh).

12th player: Charlie Dean (England)