Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Raf Nicholson

Women’s cricket team of the year: from Smriti Mandhana to Sophie Ecclestone

Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Ecclestone, Hayley Matthews.
India’s Smriti Mandhana, Sophie Ecclestone of England and West Indies’ Hayley Matthews. Composite: Guardian pictures

The Spin’s women’s all-format team of the year has historically been dominated by England and Australia – yawn. Fortunately, with Australia’s perpetual-world-champions tag finally removed by New Zealand at October’s T20 World Cup, things look a little different this time.

This year, history was made by Scotland, who qualified for and played in their first ever World Cup; by Sri Lanka, who beat India to secure a maiden Women’s Asia Cup title; and by New Zealand, who came from nowhere to win their first T20 World Cup trophy. All in all, it’s been a year where the established order in women’s cricket turned topsy-turvy. As far as The Spin is concerned, long may the chaos continue.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.