Former England Women captain Clare Connor, now the ECB’s Head of Women’s Cricket, led praise for the current crop who today were runners-up at the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh.
Charlotte Edwards’ side lost by six wickets to Australia, who won the title for the third straight time.
England were restricted to 105 for eight, Heather Knight top-scoring with 29 and player of the match Sarah Coyte returning 3-16.
Australia claimed victory with 4.5 overs to spare, skipper Meg Lanning making 44 and Ellyse Perry ending unbeaten on 31.
Connor, who captained Edwards until her retirement in 2005, said: “Reaching the final of an ICC global event on the sub-continent 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.”
ECB Chief Executive David Collier, who was sitting alongside Connor at the final in Dhaka, added: “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 said: “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.”