Edwards praises team's unity and determination
6th April 2014England finished as runners-up in the 2014 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium today, and despite the loss to Australia, the team has been commended for the dedication, passion and pride displayed throughout the two-week tournament.
After the six wicket defeat against the holders Australia, who were also champions in 2010 and 2012, Clare Connor, the England and Wales Cricket Board’s Head of Women’s Cricket, said: “Reaching the final of an ICC global event on the subcontinent to add to back-to-back Ashes wins is an immense achievement for this team and was made possible by some outstanding individual moments, a powerful team spirit and strong leadership.
“We are very proud of every England player and member of the England women's management team for the dedication, pride and passion that they have shown throughout this World Twenty20 campaign.”
It was England’s second successive ICC Women’s World Twenty20 final defeat to Australia – having lost by four runs in Colombo in 2012.
Speaking immediately after the match today England women’s captain, Charlotte Edwards, said: “I am so proud of all the girls – even though it is obviously disappointing to have been beaten in the final once again. We just didn’t get enough runs upfront with the bat; we underperformed.
“What has pleased me most however during this tournament is the unity that we have shown as a team since we arrived in Bangladesh back in March, especially after the early loss against the West Indies in Sylhet. To bounce back from that the way we have is pretty special, and I could give you an example of how every single player on our squad list has played their part to reach this final, it’s just a shame that we couldn’t quite get over the line today.”
ECB Chief Executive, David Collier, who was sitting alongside Clare Connor at the final in Dhaka, added his praise in defeat: “The England women’s team continues to go from strength to strength.
“I was privileged to see them win the home Ashes series in England last year, the start of their successful Ashes campaign in Australia and have now watched with great pride as they have competed in their second successive ICC Women’s World Twenty20 final. The fact that the ECB has made the decision to offer 17 players full time contracts will, I am sure, help the team go one better in the 2016 tournament in India.”
ECB Chairman Giles Clarke added: “The girls may be very disappointed not to have lifted the trophy but they should be proud of the way that they play their cricket as they are great role models and provide inspiration for the next generation of England women’s cricketers.”