Women's World T20: Who picks up the awards in our end-of-tournament review?

ELLIE WOOKEY: The first stand-alone version of the event was jampacked with joy, sadness, surprises and extraordinary performances with both bat and ball, all of which has helped catapult women’s cricket to an even bigger stage

The T20 Women’s World Cup was memorable for many reasons.

The first stand-alone version of the event was jampacked with joy, sadness, surprises and extraordinary performances with both bat and ball, all of which has helped catapult women’s cricket to an even bigger stage.

Here, ELLIE WOOKEY reflects on the competition.

Player of the tournament – Alyssa Healy (Australia)

With four player of the match awards, Australia's dynamic wicketkeeper batter played a dominant role as part of a strong opening partnership.

The official ICC player of the tournament scored 225 runs at a strike rate of 144.23 in six matches.

^{Alyssa Healy enjoyed a phenomenal tournament}

Breakthrough player – Kirstie Gordon (England)

Gordon had to make a difficult decision earlier this year, whether to continue playing for Scotland or pursue an England career.

She chose the latter and after an impressive Kia Super League campaign this summer was one of three debutants to be selected for the T20 World Cup.

On the biggest stage, she bowled with great line and length and was one of England’s most consistent bowlers. In the five matches she played she took eight wickets at an economy rate of 5.15. Her performances in the Caribbean are sure to have cemented a long-term place for her in an England shirt.

Best catch – Tayla Vlaeminck (Australia)

Vlaeminck’s outstanding grab in Australia’s final group game loss to India on her debut was a fantastic way to start her international career.

The amazing leap to take the ball above her head at square leg was widely shared on social media and, though there were other notable catcheds during the tournament - notably Bangladesh's Janahara Alam's excellent one-handed pick off her own bowling - Vlaeminck's was the stand-out.

Kirstie Gordon made a fine start to life in an England shirt

Game of the tournament – West Indies vs South Africa

The atmosphere was electric, like a carnival. The St Lucians filled the Daren Sammy Stadium for what was a crucial win from the home team.

After a very tight bowling performance from South Africa, the Windies were restricted to 107 for seven from their 20 overs. This should have been easy to chase down for South Africa’s hard-hitting line-up but West Indies were clinical in the field.

Every bowler bowled with great precision and consistency and their fielding was outstanding. South Africa were dismissed for 76, with Stafanie Taylor taking 4-12.

Best bowling performance – Anya Shrubsole (England)

Anya Shrubsole’s hat-trick against South Africa in England’s seven-wicket victory showed just why she is one of the world’s best bowlers. 

It was only the second England T20 international hat-trick, following in the footsteps of Nat Sciver.

In the tournament as a whole Shrubsole took seven wickets at an impressive economy rate of 4.88.

Best batting performance – Harmanpreet Kaur (India)

Kaur took her excellent form into the T20 Women’s World Cup with a century in India’s first group match against New Zealand.

It didn’t take long for Kaur to show exactly why she is one of the world’s best. With her team struggling at 40 for three, Kaur's century took India to their highest World T20 score, only four runs short of their highest ever T20 score. In her five matches in the tournament she scored 183 runs at a strike rate of 160.52.

India's Harmanpreet Kaur

Best run out – Deandra Dottin (West Indies) 

Dottin is one of the world’s best fielders and displayed some outstanding skills in the Windies' win over South Africa in the group stage.

The most memorable of all was her run out of South African skipper Dane Van Niekerk for one which precipitated a batting collapse where the Proteas lost six wickets for just 16 runs.

Most memorable moment – The message the tournament has sent to young female cricketers

West Indies captain Stafanie Taylor said she is most proud of how the T20 Women’s World Cup in the West Indies has inspired and given hope to young girls.

The competition as a whole has been crucial in the promotion and increased awareness of women’s cricket in the Caribbean.

The crowds have been excellent, culminating in the sell-out semi-finals. The excitement of women’s cricket in the region and the show they have put on is hugely important.