SOPHIE ECCLESTONE was an overwhelming choice in Test Match Special’s best World T20 team.

The Chester-born left-arm spinner earned selection in 73 per cent of teams picked by fans of the game to take her place at number 11 in the top team.

Ecclestone is the world’s number one bowler in the shortest form of the game, finishing the recent World Cup as England’s top wicket-taker with eight.

And at 21, the future is bright for Ecclestone, who became the youngster player to reach 50 wickets in T20 internationals.

After her selection was confirmed, England seam bowler Kate Cross said: “Pure talent. A skill that she just repeats and repeats and keeps it very simple. Her height allows her to get bounce that other females don’t get too.”

World Cup winner and fellow spinner Alex Harley was delighted to see Ecclestone handed a spot in the team.

Hartley said: “Sophie uses her height - she’s about six foot - to her advantage, and she gets bounce on the ball like no other. And she’s only 21!”

Ecclestone was joined in the top side by England team-mates Nat Sciver, Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole, who is her country’s leading wicket-taker in T20 cricket.

Of Shrubsole, who was picked in 83 per cent of teams, Cross said: “Anya’s success has come from her ability to swing the ball into right-handers, but she has developed her game in the last three years with all the variations.”

Brunt featured in 58 per cent of teams, Hartley adding: “Brunty - an aggressive player on the pitch but one of the softest off it!”

Hartley also said of Sciver, who was selected by 53 per cent of people to bat at five: “I haven’t met anyone who plays as well off the back foot as Nat does.”

Sciver’s inclusion comes in a battling line-up dominated by Australian quartet Alyssa Healy, Beth Mooney, Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry, who topped the voting with 88 per cent.

Cross said of Perry: “She’s all about consistency, bowling and batting. Her innings in the last two Test matches (213* & 116) are a testament to that - but she can produce those sorts of performances across every format of the game.”

Hartley added: “She’s just world class. There’s not much more to say!”

A fifth Australian, Megan Schutt, West Indies’ all-rounder Stafanie Taylor and Indian spinner Poonam Yadav completed the XI.

England captain Heather Knight was one of those who narrowly missed out on inclusion along with Deandra Dottin (West Indies), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Sophie Devine (New Zealand) and Harmanpreet Kaur (India).