Though cricket is portrayed as a team game, the individual performances play a very significant role in cricket. And, star performers of the team are expected to deliver their best when it comes to major tournaments
The Women’s Cricket World Cup is not an exception too. The 50-over tournament has experienced the extraordinary individual performances that eventually affected the teams’ fate.
The players’ contribution has been recognized by giving them the Player of the Tournament award. This article will tell the saga of the Player of the Tournament award winners in the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
Player of The Tournament in the Women’s World Cup
2000 – Lisa Keightley
The Player of the Tournament award was introduced during the 2000 Women’s Cricket World Cup (CWC). First one to receive the mentioned honour was Australia’s Lisa Keightley.
The right-handed batswoman played a key role in Australia’s victory in the sixth tournament final. Keightley scored 375 runs at an average of 75 which is terrific throughout eight innings.
Her total was made up of four half-centuries and she had 40 plus scores six times. But unfortunately Keightley got a duck when it was most necessary in the final match against New Zealand. The early dismissal of this leading scorer meant that Australia could not shadow 185 runs.
2005 – Karen Rolton
Keightley was not the only one left in the lurch in 2000. Her associate Karen Rolton’s 393 runs also went waste.
But in the subsequent edition, Rolton made sure Australia took the victory home with her all-round performance. The left-hander was involved in the score with 246 runs and at the same time claimed 10 wickets in 7 games.
And would you believe that? The Indian final match was her showing of greatness. Her unbeaten 107 not only covered Australia to 215 for 4 but also put the win in their pocket as the target was comfortably defended for the fifth women’s CWC title.
2009 – Claire Taylor
England, in the 2009 edition, were in dire need of a strong start in order not to be disappointed again and most importantly to add a third World Cup to their trophy cabinet.
England did not waste time and indeed came out with a bang, just because of Claire Taylor. She hit a century of 101 off 95 balls and through this contributed to England’s total of 277 runs for 5 wickets against Sri Lanka which they were able to defend successfully and won by 100 runs.
By the time the trophy was lifted by England, Taylor had already scored two fifties and a total of 324 runs in seven games and thus, Player of the Tournament award.
2013 – Suzie Bates
Suzie Bates’ place is New Zealand cricket’s eternal. She has been the one to deliver such all-round performances that have impacted the White Ferns.
One of her best moments was the 2013 World Cup, and what was more impressive to her was being the captain of the white team. Bates scored 407 runs with a superb average of 67.83 which included one hundred and three fifties. She also took 4 wickets.
New Zealand, despite Bates’ great effort, lost and exited at the Super Six stage finishing fourth.
2017 – Tammy Beaumont
Just as Claire Taylor was crucial for England’s World Cup victory in 2009, so was Tammy Beaumont in 2017. The opener’s start was nothing to write home about, but he ended up with a great tally.
Who would have thought that anyone would bounce back after getting scores of 14, 14, and 12? But Beaumont? She returned to her top form in a spectacular way by scoring 148 runs against South Africa.
Ultimately, Beaumont scored 410 runs in nine matches and by doing so, she helped England to their fourth title.
2022 – Alyssa Healy
The 2017 edition was a disaster for Alyssa Healy, who could only manage a paltry 98 runs. However, she was at her glorious best during the 2022 edition.
After having taken some time off during the group stage, Healy came in with her genius for the knockouts showing.
The semi-finals saw Healy bludgeoning 129 off 107 balls to lead Australia to a total of 305 runs for 3 wickets against the West Indies. In the final, she was even better, blaring 170 off 138 to steer Australia to their seventh World Cup title.
The overall result was that Healy ended up with 509 runs in nine matches, which was enough to earn her the Player of the Tournament award.
