Edwards named Women's World T20 player of tournament

England captain and opening batsman Charlotte Edwards was named the player of the ICC Women's World Twenty20 after leading her side to the final in Colombo.

Edwards was the unanimous choice of the select group of experts following her consistent good form that helped guide her side to the final. The 32-year-old batted five innings in the tournament, scoring a total of 172 runs at an average of 43, while finishing the event as the highest run-scorer.

Despite he side losing the final to Australia, Edwards was pleased with her overall performance in the event.

"Tonight I would have liked to have been lifting the ICC World Twenty20 trophy but it wasn't to be for us. However, it's obviously very humbling to be named player of the tournament and it will be something that, with time, I will reflect upon and take great pride," she said.

The selection panel that chose the ICC World Twenty20 women's players of the tournament consisted of Geoff Allardice (ICC General Manager – Cricket), Rex Clementine (Sri Lankan cricket journalist), Tony Hill (Member of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC Umpires), Ranjan Madugalle (ICC Chief Match Referee and former Sri Lanka captain), Melanie Jones (Former Australia Women's cricketer and ESS commentator).

Photograph: Philip Brown/Reuters