Cricket.com.au's World Cup team of the tournament

28 Mar 2022 cricket.com.au

The Scoop podcast hosts Emily Collin and Laura Jolly put their selectors' hats on to pick an unofficial best XI from the round-robin stage of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup

After 24 days of thrillers, upsets and classic moments through the round-robin phase of the World Cup, The Scoop podcast's Emily Collin and Laura Jolly have picked their best XI players to make an unofficial team of the tournament.

1. Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)

Matches: 7 | Innings: 7 | Runs: 433 | High score: 90 | Ave: 61.85 | SR: 78.01 | 50s: 5

Laura Wolvaardt has yet to get that elusive World Cup century, but she has been in stunning form at the top of the order for the Proteas, with just two teams able to dismiss her before she passed fifty.

2. Rachael Haynes (Australia)

Matches: 7 | Innings: 7 | Runs: 344 | High score: 130 | Ave: 57.33 | SR: 84.1 | 50s: 1 | 100s: 1

Australia's vice-captain started the tournament with a bang, smashing her second ODI century against England in Hamilton, and has been a solid presence for Australia at the top of the order.

Haynes keen to capitalise on stunning form

3. Meg Lanning (Australia) (c)

Matches: 7 | Innings: 7 | Runs: 358 | High score: 135* | Ave: 59.66 | SR: 86.68 | 50s: 2 | 100s: 1

Meg Lanning started her campaign with 86 against England, and while she has had a few low scores, her knocks of 97 and 135no against India and South Africa were the Aussie captain at her chasing best.

4. Harmanpreet Kaur (India)

Matches: 7 | Innings: 7 | Runs: 318 | High score: 109 | Ave: 53 | SR: 91.64 | 50s: 2 | 100s: 1

Harmanpreet Kaur rises to another level when she's at a World Cup and she did it once again in New Zealand, striking a superb century against West Indies alongside two fifties to keep India's fight for a spot in the finals alive until the final over of their final match against South Africa.

5. Beth Mooney (Australia)

Matches: 7 | Innings: 7 | Runs: 225 | High score: 66* | Ave: 112.5 | SR: 90.36 | 50s: 1

Beth Mooney has built a reputation as someone Australia can rely on no matter the situation, and her versatility has come to the fore throughout this World Cup. Whether her side needed a rapid 30 off 20 to seal a record run chase against India, or a gritty fifty to dig them out of a hole against Bangladesh, Mooney has them covered.

Tigers fight but Mooney saves Australia's blushes

6. Hayley Matthews (West Indies)

West Indies were the surprise packet among the semi-finalists and Hayley Matthews' contributions with bat and ball were critical in sealing their place in the business end of the tournament. She started with a century against New Zealand, while her 4-15 saved her side from defeat against Bangladesh.

7. Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)

South Africa's road to the semi-finals was littered with thrillers, and it was ice-cold Marizanne Kapp who more often than not stepped up with ball or bat to seal victory. Playing for her injured captain and wife Dane van Niekerk, Kapp's five-wicket haul against England and unbeaten 34 against New Zealand were particularly clutch.

8. Shemaine Campbelle (West Indies) (wk)

Like Matthews, Campbelle's contributions were critical in helping the West Indies advance in this tournament. Her two half-centuries rescued the Windies from tricky situations, while her vocal encouragement behind the stumps has been a constant. Alyssa Healy is the only 'keeper to have scored more runs – while not hitting her absolute best yet at this event - and given the depth in the Aussie line-up, Campbelle's efforts have been more important to her side's fortunes.

9. Salma Khatun (Bangladesh)

Matches: 7 | Wickets: 10 | Best bowling: 3-23 | Ave: 22.4 | Eco: 3.79

There were some strong candidates to fill a spinners' spot in this side, including India's Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Sneh Rana, England's Charlie Dean and Pakistan's Nida Dar, but Salma Khatun's list of wickets reads like a who's who of the world's best: Meg Lanning, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy, Sophie Devine, Heather Knight and so on. The off-spinner played a big role as Bangladesh became the only team not to concede a total above 250 during the round-robin stage.

10. Sophie Ecclestone (England)

Matches: 7 | Wickets: 14 | Best bowling: 3-15 | Ave: 15.78 | Eco: 3.27

Sophie Ecclestone is the world's top-ranked white-ball bowler and the left-armer has been showing why she is the best in the business throughout this tournament, finishing the round-robin phase three wickets clear on top of the wickets table.

11. Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)

Matches: 7 | Wickets: 11 | Best bowling: 3-27 | Ave: 18.09 | Eco: 3.91

The fiery fast bowler forms one of the best, if not the best, new-ball combinations in the game with fellow Protea Marizanne Kapp, and she has continued terrorising opposition top-orders in New Zealand. She could have taken a five-fer against Australia if not for dropped catches and will be critical to her side's chances in the finals.

Matches: 7 | Innings: 7 | Runs: 309 | High score: 108 | Ave: 44.14 | SR: 91.42 | 50s: 1 | 100s: 1

New Zealand's inspirational skipper started the tournament with a century and continued fighting to the very end, battling back pain to try and keep her team alive against England then overcoming the injury to take the field in their last game against Pakistan. It was not enough for the White Ferns to make the finals at their home tournament but Devine continues to endear herself to fans everywhere.

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: Beat West Indies by seven wickets

Mar 19: Beat India by six wickets

Mar 22: Beat South Africa by five wickets

Mar 25: Beat Bangladesh by five wickets

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Australia v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 9am AEDT

Mar 31: South Africa v England, Hagley Park, Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEST

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports