The ICC Women's T20 World Cup Europe Division 1 Qualifiers in Rotterdam gave us plenty of match-defining performances. Here at Eurocrick, we identified seven of the top performers at the tournament.
Laura Delany (IRE) - Runs: 119, Avg: 119, SR: 152.56; Wickets: 8, ER: 5.57
To begin the list, we cannot look much further than Player of the Tournament and Irish Cricket legend Laura Delany. Delany began the tournament by taking career best figures of 4-9 against Germany in the first game. The experienced former Ireland captain did not get many opportunities to bat due to the strength of the Irish top order, however, in the last game when a couple of senior batters sat out, she hammered a 91 against Germany, showcasing her all-round prowess. Delany also finished the tournament with the second highest batting strike-rate (excluding Jane Maguire who faced 1 ball) and the lowest bowling strike-rate at 8.12 runs per wicket displaying her versatility.
Iris Zwilling (NED) - Wickets: 10, Economy: 4.65, Average: 10.70, SR: 13.80
Iris Zwilling was the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. Zwilling played a crucial role in the Netherlands' first win of the tournament with bowling figures of 2-23 and a quick 25 runs. She carried her perfect rhythm, with enviable bowling figures of 3-6 against Germany and 3-14 against Italy Zwilling discipline couldn’t have been better highlighted than her 3 maiden overs throughout the course of the tournament. The fast bowler, nearing 24, is a bright prospect for Netherlands in the times to come.
Amy Hunter (IRE) - Innings: 6, Runs: 241, Average: 80.33, Sr: 133.88
Amy Hunter is fast becoming the brightest star among the studded Irish batting line up. At only 19, Hunter is making the headlines often. Finishing as the top run scorer of the tournament, her exploits included a memorable century off 61 balls against Germany. She ended the game with 114* (67) displaying maturity and ability far beyond her years. She closed off her campaign with a fine 62 to extend Ireland’s winning run. Leading from the top of the order she made facing the opening bowlers look easy, setting the platform for the rest of the team,
Ilenia Sims (ITA) - Runs: 86, AVG: 72, SR: 85.14; Wickets: 9, Economy: 5.57
Ilena Sims starred with the ball, taking nine wickets for Italy in six matches. The Italians won two games in the competition. In the first win, Sims bagged three wickets, conceding only eight runs. She added to the performance, by tonking 25 runs in a successful chase. Sims unleashed another allround performance slamming 22* runs and picking two wickets as she picked a Player of the Match award. She was regularly amongst the wickets even when she faced the best team of the tournament, Ireland, she took 2 wickets apiece in both their encounters.
Arlene Kelly (IRE) - Wickets: 10, Economy: 4.78, Average: 7.10, SR: 8.90
Completing the Irish hat-trick, we have Arlene Kelly, the other joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament. Kelly is the highest-ranked bowler from the Ireland setup. Kelly contributed with the ball in every match she played, showing her experience and bowling wit. Her masterclass against the Netherlands in the second fixture was the bowling performance of the tournament, as she completed her second five-wicket haul in T20Is.
Phebe Molkenboer (NED) - Innings: 6, Runs: 226, Average: 45.20, SR: 125.55
Molkenboer was the second-highest run-getter in the tournament. The young batter is definitely one to watch out for in the years to come. Molkenboer crossed 50 on two occasions, both against Germany. She smashed a quick 73 runs the first time she crossed the 50-run mark and compiled an unbeaten 91 in the match that saw the Netherlands secure their qualification to the Global Qualifier.
Gaby Lewis (IRE) Innings: 4, Runs: 193, Average: 96.50 SR: 116.26
Captain Fantastic! Gaby Lewis was the leading light both figuratively and literally that saw Ireland maintain an unbeaten run at the European Qualifiers. Opener Lewis was in supreme form throughout the tournament, slamming two 50s in four innings. She finished as the third highest run-scorer despite featuring in only four innings, remaining unbeaten in two innings while departing just before two runs were required in their penultimate game against Netherlands.
Honourable Mentions:
Heather Siegers (NED) - Innings: 4, Runs: 143, Average: 47.66, SR: 160.67
Explosive opener Heather Siegers was simply unstoppable when she got going. The experienced batter made a rapid record-shattering century of just 52 balls against Germany. Siegers also had the highest batting strike-rate in the tournament (apart from Maguire’s 1 ball).
Chloe Piparo (ITA) - Innings: 6, Runs: 172, Average: 28.66, SR: 118.62
If consistency in this tournament had a name, it's Chloe Piparo, the Italian batter crossed 20 runs in five out of six matches. In an Italian side that struggled to score runs, she stood out, scoring the most runs for the team. While she crossed 20+ five times, she failed to register a big score.
Caroline De Lange (NED) Wickets: 6, Economy: 3.79, Average: 7.10, SR: 15.16
The leg-spinner from the Netherlands was the only bowler to bowl their full quota of 24 overs across six matches. Taking six wickets in the process De Lange conceded only 91 runs and bowled three maiden overs, ending the tournament with the magnificent economy rate of 3.79. Which is the lowest economy of any bowler who has bowled seven or more overs
