Cricket: Bates named player of the World Cup

New Zealand captain Suzie Bates has been named player of the tournament at the women's cricket World Cup in India, after finishing as the leading run-scorer in her side's fourth-place finish.

Bates was prolific with the bat throughout the 18-day campaign and finished with an average of 67.83 over seven innings. A brilliant century against Australia was the most memorable innings, while that was complemented by three further half-centuries.

She contributed four wickets with the ball too, as well as keeping to her usual high standards in the field in the White Ferns' ultimately disappointing campaign.

The 25 year-old said she felt privileged to receive the award but she was already looking forward to the White Ferns' future opportunities for silverware.

"It was tough to be watching the final and not be in it but, from a personal point of view, winning a trophy at the end of this tournament is really pleasing," Bates said.

"I'm honoured to have been named the player of the tournament, but now it's time for us to go back to the drawing board in New Zealand and make sure we continue to improve - similar to the rapid progress that the West Indies, Sri Lanka and South Africa have made."

It caps off a fine summer for Bates, who also had a big impact in the recent Rose Bowl and Twenty20 series in Australia. Over the course of the tournaments she became just the third White Fern to score four consecutive half-centuries.