Women's World T20: Team of the tournament so far
England skipper Charlotte Edwards makes the cut...
By Francis Kelly
Last Updated: 31/03/16 1:16pm
Who have been the star performers in the Women's World T20 so far?
The semi-finals have arrived, with England playing Australia on Wednesday before New Zealand face West Indies on Thursday, but who has been responsible for getting them there, and who else has shone?
Here's a look at my team for the tournament, with a few familiar faces present, as well as the odd new name...
Charlotte Edwards (England)
Refreshed after a disappointing home Ashes series, with her future as England captain questioned, Edwards has proven the doubters wrong by providing a commanding presence at the top of England's batting in India. Two man-of-the-match performances, clocking up a joint-most 171 runs, ensured her team finished first and unbeaten in Group B.
Tammy Beaumont (England)
Written off and cast adrift from the national side until Mark Robinson joined as head coach in late November last year, Beaumont looks reborn under the former Sussex coach's tutelage. Delivering the attacking batting that Robinson wants from his charges, Beaumont's fluency and rapid scoring has re-energised England's top order, especially in the power play. All three of England's sixes have been struck by Beaumont.
Stafanie Taylor (West Indies)
The heart of the West Indies team, Taylor perfectly combines power-hitting tenacity with measured strokeplay and has propelled her side to the knockout round. The 24-year-old has also taken advantage of the spin friendly conditions, picking up five wickets with her canny offspin bowling.
Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
On pitches not designed to aid aggressive openers, White Ferns captain Bates has countered that thinking and wacked her way to 171 runs, the most alongside Edwards. After failing to make the semi-finals at the previous event, New Zealand have made quite the impression this time out, with Bates a key figure in their success.
Elyse Villani (Australia)
Coming into the competition on the back of an array of mediocre scores, Villani struck just four runs in Australia's opening two matches, as the reigning champions made an underwhelming start. But a timely return to form - pummeling 53 not out and 43 in the Southern Stars' last two group games - has demonstrated her hard-hitting ability.
Rachel Priest (New Zealand)
Leading from the front, Priest's dependable run-scoring exploits allow those around her to capitalise on solid starts. She knows all too well how to thrash the ball to the ropes, 60 of her 102 runs have come by way of boundaries in the group stage, and she is one of the safest wicketkeepers in the tournament.
Sophie Devine (New Zealand)
Beginning her career as a strike bowler, Devine has slowly molded herself into a feisty all-rounder with a penchant for bashing the ball a long way, scoring the winning runs against South Africa with a huge six. Crucially for New Zealand, as well as scoring useful runs, Devine remains effective with the ball, claiming five wickets.
Harmanpreet Kaur (India)
With England on course to win a routine match over India, Kaur stepped up and removed two of their best batsmen - Beaumont and Sarah Taylor - with consecutive deliveries. Chaos ensued and while India were unable to eek out a win, her intervention almost kept their semi-final hopes alive. A calm presence in India's middle order, Kaur finished with both the most runs and wickets for her team.
Anam Amin (Pakistan)
Sterling efforts in her first two tournament clashes secured Amin back-to-back man of the match awards, including a 16 dot-ball extravaganza that saw Pakistan defeat rivals India. Still only 23-years-old, her unflinching accuracy and technical know-how suggests much is still to come from this tenacious left-arm spinner.
Anya Shrubsole (England)
Despite playing on unsympathetic wickets for pace bowlers, Shrubsole, the 2014 World T20 top wicket-taker, is still causing batsmen nightmares. Consistent with her menacing lines, she's dismissed seven opponents. The Somerset seamer's composure with the bat in a mind-bending chase against India also guaranteed England victory.
Leigh Kasperek (New Zealand)
The Scotland-born Kiwi spinner travelled to India off the back of a successful showing in New Zealand's surprising T20I series win over Australia. But she has surpassed all expectations, her unerring control and slight rip of the ball embarrassing many. Topping the most wickets chart with nine in four matches, her devilish bowling came to the fore against Australia, again, where a spell of three wickets in nine balls rocked the Southern Stars.
Watch live coverage of England Women's semi-final against Australia on Sky Sports 2 from 9.30am on Wednesday, then catch the second semi-final between New Zealand and West Indies, also on Sky Sports 2 from 9.30am, on Thursday.