Mithali named captain of ICC Women’s World Cup team

Four members of champions’ side named on squad

Indian women’s team captain Mithali Raj was named skipper of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017 team with allrounders Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma in the side, the International Cricket Council announced yesterday.

Mithali led from the front, scoring 409 runs in the tournament to power the Womenin-Blue to the final, which they lost by a mere nine runs against England at Lord’s on Sunday.

Among others, the ICC side has four English players, including Player of the Tournament Tamsin Beaumont, Player of the Final Anya Shrubsole, wicketkeeper Sarah Taylor and left-arm spinner Alex Hartley; three from South Africa, including opener Laura Wolvaardt and bowlers Marizanne Kapp and Dane van Niekerk; and Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry.

England’s Natalie Sciver, who scored 369 runs and took seven wickets, was chosen as the 12th player. Mithali Raj, Sarah Taylor and Anya Shrubsole have been picked for the second time in their careers.

Meanwhile, tributes flowed from the Indian prime minister and cricket legends for the Women in Blue. “Our women cricketers gave their best today. They have shown remarkable tenacity & skill through the World Cup.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter.