ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Team of the Tournament: Beth Mooney, Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophie Molineux headline Trisha Ghosal and Snehasis Mukherjee’s XI

 

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Trisha Ghosal, London

Picking a Team of the Tournament is rarely as straightforward as selecting the biggest names. More often than not, such XIs become collections of the tournament’s highest run-scorers and wicket-takers, regardless of whether they actually fit together as a functioning side.

This team has been selected differently.

Rather than squeezing every standout performer into the XI, the focus has been on identifying the best player for each role. Opening batters have been judged as openers, middle-order batters as middle-order players, finishers as finishers and bowlers on the impact they created in their specific phases of the innings.

That approach inevitably means a few high-profile names and performers miss out despite outstanding tournaments. Players like Orla Prendergast, for example, were exceptional but narrowly missed selection because another cricketer was judged to have performed the No. 4 role even better.

The writer in discussion with fellow teammate and Women’s cricket correspondent Snehasis Mukherjee has zeroed in on this team.

Beth Mooney (Wicketkeeper)

There was never any debate about the first name on the team-sheet.

Beth Mooney not only finished as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 238 runs from seven innings but produced her best cricket when Australia needed her most. Three half-centuries, including match-winning efforts in both the semi-final and final, underlined why she walked away with the Player of the Tournament award.

Remarkably, she was not even among the initial nominees for the honour. By the end of the competition, there was little doubt she was the most influential player in the World Cup.

She also comfortably takes the wicketkeeping gloves.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge

The tournament’s leading run-scorer simply could not be left out.

Danni Wyatt-Hodge amassed a record-breaking 302 runs in seven innings, the highest tally in the history of any Women’s T20 World Cup edition. Her campaign featured a century, two fifties and three Player of the Match awards as she dominated the group stage.

While she could not quite replicate that dominance during the knockout stages, no other opener consistently challenged her place. Across the tournament, she remained England’s batting cornerstone.

Nat Sciver-Brunt

Perhaps no player demonstrated greater big-match temperament than Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Despite playing only four innings because of injury, she still finished as the tournament’s third-highest run-scorer with 227 runs. Her two half-centuries both came in England’s biggest matches — the semi-final and final — highlighting her ability to deliver under pressure.

Questions may remain over her leadership, but as a No. 3 batter she was simply outstanding.

Ellyse Perry

If balance is the hallmark of a great all-rounder, Ellyse Perry epitomised it.

She scored 198 runs, registered two half-centuries, claimed four wickets at an economy of exactly six an over and collected three Player of the Match awards. Much of Australia’s dominance during the group stage revolved around Perry’s ability to influence matches with both bat and ball.

Marizanne Kapp

The No. 5 position perhaps generated the greatest debate.

Ultimately, Marizanne Kapp edged the competition because of the complete package she offered. Her batting numbers, 124 runs, including a vital fifty against India, only tell part of the story.

More importantly, she picked up eight wickets in six innings while conceding just five runs an over, consistently operating with the new ball against the opposition’s strongest batters.

Her all-round value made her impossible to overlook.

Georgia Wareham

Statistics alone do not always capture a player’s influence.

Georgia Wareham scored only 82 runs but did so at a breathtaking strike rate of 182.22, the highest among recognised batters in the tournament. Those late-order cameos repeatedly accelerated Australia’s innings at crucial moments.

She also contributed seven wickets at a superb economy rate of 4.50, making her one of the most complete lower-order all-rounders of the competition.

Freya Kemp

Freya Kemp quietly assembled one of the tournament’s most impressive all-round campaigns.

Her unbeaten 44 in the final ensured England reached a competitive total, while throughout the competition she combined aggressive lower-order batting with reliable left-arm seam bowling.

Ninety runs at a strike rate approaching 158 alongside seven wickets perfectly illustrate the dual role she fulfilled. Her left-arm angle also adds welcome variety to the bowling attack.

Sophie Molineux (Captain)

Leadership matters when selecting a Team of the Tournament captain.

Sophie Molineux consistently demonstrated tactical flexibility throughout Australia’s victorious campaign. Rather than relying on rigid plans, she adapted according to opposition and match situations, altering her own bowling spells depending on conditions.

Against some teams she bowled in the powerplay; against others she held herself back for the middle overs. Those subtle tactical adjustments repeatedly paid dividends.

Alongside her captaincy, she also finished with 11 wickets in seven matches, the secind highest in the tournament, making her selection straightforward.

Sree Charani

India may have endured another disappointing T20 World Cup, but Sree Charani emerged as one of its brightest stars.

Her 14 wickets in just five matches made her the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, and it is difficult to imagine any credible Team of the Tournament without her.

What stood out most was her consistency. Across the competition, she rarely bowled a poor delivery, controlling the middle overs with maturity well beyond her years. She was unquestionably India’s biggest positive from the tournament.

Fatima Sana

The pace-bowling department lacked standout performances from several established names, creating opportunities for others.

Fatima Sana seized hers magnificently.

While her batting remains an added bonus rather than a primary strength, her fast bowling was consistently effective throughout Pakistan’s campaign. Eleven wickets in five matches demonstrated both her wicket-taking ability and her importance as Pakistan’s strike bowler.

She earns her place primarily for those bowling performances.

Kim Garth

Kim Garth’s numbers perhaps do not immediately grab attention.

Six wickets in seven matches may appear modest, but context makes all the difference.

She bowled across every difficult phase, with the new ball, through the middle overs and at the death, yet still maintained an economy rate of just 6.30. Her ability to control scoring allowed Australia’s attacking spinners to hunt wickets from the other end.

That tactical value secures her place.

12th Player: Kathryn Bryce

Few players enhanced their reputation more than Kathryn Bryce.

The Scotland captain contributed 94 runs at a strike rate of 117.50 while also taking eight wickets across five matches. Her versatility is her greatest strength, capable of opening the batting, sharing the new ball and offering valuable leadership.

As the reserve player, she provides exceptional balance and flexibility.

Team of the Tournament : 

Beth Mooney (wk), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Ellyse Perry, Marizanne Kapp, Georgia Wareham, Freya Kemp, Sophie Molineux (c), Sree Charani, Fatima Sana, Kim Garth. 12th : Kathryn Bryce.

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