76 Greatest Women Cricketers of All Time: Who are the top female cricketers in history?

by Nitesh Mathur | Feb 5, 2023 | World XIs - With Twists

Today we take a look at the greatest 76 women cricketers of all-time.

From legendary players like Belinda Clark and Karen Rolton, to modern-day superstars such as Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry, this list celebrates the best of the best in women’s cricket history. With their astonishing batting, bowling and fielding abilities, these players continue to inspire young girls around the world to take up this sport.

Recently, we ranked the 155 greatest men’s cricketers of all-time. With the Women’s Premier League finally here and the 2023 T20 Women’s World Cup in full flow, it is time we reflect upon the 76 greatest women cricketers of all-time across eras.

Key Takeaways

• A total of 144 women cricketers were considered (entire list at the bottom), from which 76 players were chosen along with 24 honorable mentions.
• Charlotte Edwards, Rachael Heyhoe Flint, Enid Bakewell, Mithali Raj, Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, Belinda Clark, Betty Wilson, Claire Taylor, and Jhulan Goswami are adjudged as the Top 10 greatest female cricketers in the history of the game.
• From the 76 greatest women cricketers, 20 are from Australia, 19 are from England, 9 from India, 8 from New Zealand, 7 from South Africa, 5 from West Indies & Pakistan each, 2 from Sri Lanka, and 1 from Bangladesh.

Those Who Just Missed Out: 78-100 Greatest Women Cricketers

• Nicola Browne (Australia – Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2008), Player of the 2010 T20 WC)
• Shanel Daley (West Indies – Shortlisted for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2013))
• Gaby Lewis (Ireland – Shortlisted for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2021))
• Fatima Sana (Pakistan – Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2021))
• Aimee Watkins (New Zealand – Most Runs in the 2009 T20 World Cup)
• Holly Colvin (England – Most Wickets in the 2009 T20 World Cup)

Honorable Mentions: Gillian Smith, Poonam Yadav, Shubhangi Kulkarni, Raelee Thompson, Javeria Khan, Sune Luus, Ayabonga Khaka, Jess Jonassen, Isa Guha, Nooshin Al Khadeer, Kate Cross, Sajjida Shah, Sharon Tredia, Shirley Hodges

Future Stars: Sophie Ecclestone, Natthakan Chantam, Jemimah Rodrigues, Leigh Kasperek

List of 76 Greatest Women Cricketers of All Time

Without further ado, here is the list of the 76 greatest women cricketers in history (in reverse order).

*Note: ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year was renamed as the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award from 2017 onward

76. Katey Martin (New Zealand, 2003-2022)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: New Zealand, Otago, Tornadoes
• Known For: Longest NZ ODI career after Debbie Hockley (18 years, 112 days). Over 96 catches and 43 stumpings in international cricket.

75. Tahlia McGrath (Australia, 2016-)

ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2022)

• Role: Allrounder (Right Arm Medium, Right Arm Bat)
• Teams: Australia, South Australia, Adelaide Strikers, Southern Brave
• Known For: In just 22 T20Is, she has a batting average of 61.88 with a 140.30 SR with 4 fifties (best of 91*) to go along with a bowling average of 16.23 (best of 3/13 at 12.9 strike rate).

*Only 27 and one of the rising stars in Australian cricket, she is bound to climb up the list in the upcoming years

74. Anju Jain (India, 1993-2005)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: India, Air India
• Known For: Most stumpings in women’s ODI cricket (51). Captain of the Indian team that took them to the 2000 ODI World Cup semi-finals.

73. Sara McGlashan (New Zealand, 2002-2016)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: New Zealand, Central Districts, Sydney Sixers
• Known For: With more than 3500 international runs and playing over 200 games for the White Ferns, she goes down as a New Zealand legend.

72. Kiran Baluch (Pakistan, 1997-2004)

• Role: Right Arm Bat, Right Arm Off break
• Teams: Pakistan, Karachi
• Known For: Played 3 Tests, scored 1 fifty & 1 hundred, a mammoth 242, the highest score in women’s Test cricket.

71. Jess Duffin (Australia, 2009-2015)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand Bat
• Teams: Australia, Queensland, Cricket Australia Women’s XI, Western Australia, Victoria, Melbourne Renegades
• Known For: Player of the final in the 2012 T20 World Cup and 2013 ODI World Cup. Also played Australian rules football

*maiden name: Jess Cameron

70. Clare Taylor (England, 1988-2005)

• Role: Right Arm Medium Pace
• Teams: England, Yorkshire, Otago
• Known For: 4th highest ODI WC wickets – 36 (second highest wicket taker in the 2000 ODI WC). With 102 ODI wickets, ESPNCricinfo declares she was “one of the most successful bowlers in the women’s game.”

69. Hayley Matthews (West Indies, 2014-)

• Role: Allrounder
• Teams: West Indies, Barbados, Barbados Royals, Melbourne Renegades, Warriors, Velocity, Welsh Fire, Velocity, Trailblazers
• Known For: 4 centuries across formats and more than 150+ wickets. Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2021)

68. Trisha Chetty (South Africa, 2007-2022)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng
• Known For: Most dismissals in ODI career (181), 4th most T20I (70)

67. Nida Dar (Pakistan, 2010-2023)

• Role: Allrounder (Right hand bat, Right arm off break)
• Teams: Pakistan
• Known For: 1st Pakistani player (male or women) to take 100 T20I wickets, 2nd most T20I wickets of all-time (121), Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2022)

66. Merissa Aguilleira (West Indies, 2008-2019)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago
• Known For: 5th most ODI (102) and T20I (70) dismissals, #4 on T20I matches played as captain (73)

65. Anjum Chopra (India, 1995-2012)

• Role: Left Hand Bat
• Teams: India, India Red, Air India
• Known For: 2856 ODI runs at 31.18 with 18 fifties and one century. According to ESPNCricinfo, when Chopra was batting, it was “difficult to keep memories of David Gower out of the the mind…’lazy elegance.’ “
• Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2006)

64. Rebecca Rolls (New Zealand, 1997-2007)

• Role: Wicketkeper
• Teams: New Zealand, Auckland, Central Districts
• Known For: 3rd highest ODI dismissals as a wicketkeeper (133). Great batting record as well with 2201 runs and two centuries

63. Shaiza Khan (Pakistan, 1997-2004)

• Role: Leg break
• Teams: Pakistan, Punjab
• Known For: Best Test bowling figures (13/226). Has a Test hat-trick. Credited for establishing Pakistan’s women cricket team

62. Alex Blackwell (Australia, 2003-2017)

• Role: Right hand bat
• Teams: Australia, New South Wales, Otago
• Known For: Most ODIs for Australia (144). Scored over 5000 international runs across formats, played 251 international games, and had 3 centuries & 30 fifties to her name. Highest score by a #6 batter (90)

61. Jane Smit (England, 1992-2008)

• Role: Wicket-keeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: England, East Midlands
• Known For: Most dismissals in ODI WCs (40), 4th most dismissals in ODI career (114). Also played hockey for Nottinghamshire. Most successful keeper at the time of her retirement.

60. Jenny Gunn (England, 2004-2019)

• Role: Allrounder (Right arm medium pace, right hand bat)
• Teams: England, South Australia, Northern Superchargers
• Known For: 2nd most ODIs for England (144), At one point, England’s all-time ODI wicket-taker

59. Sandhya Agarwal (India, 1984-1995)

• Role: Allrounder (Right hand bat, Right arm off break)
• Teams: India, Railways
• Known For: Test best of 190 (highest at the time), 4 Test centuries at 50.45 in 13-Test career. Captain of Team India.

58. Christina White Mathews (Australia, 1984-1995)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: Australia, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria
• Known For: Australia’s most capped Test cricketer. Prolific wicketkeeper of her time (most dismissals in women’s Tests)

57. Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa, 2016-)

• Role: Right Hand Opening Batter
• Teams: South Africa, Western Province, Barmy Army Women, Northern Superchargers, Adelaide Strikers, Velocity
• Known For: Only 23, Wolvaardt already has 3193 ODI runs with 3 centuries and 29 fifties. She will undoubtedly break records in ODI cricket in the near future.

*Likely to rise up the list as the years go by

56. Denise Annetts (Australia, 1985-1993)

• Role: Right hand bat
• Teams: Australia, New South Wales
• Known For: Highest career Test batting average (81.90). Best of 193 in Tests and a 100* in ODIs

55. Amelia Kerr (New Zealand, 2016-2023)

• Role: Allrounder (Legbreak, Right hand bat)
• Teams: New Zealand, Wellington, Brisbane Heat, London Spirit, Velocity
• Known For: At the age of 17, she scored the highest individual ODI women’s cricket score (232* (145) vs Ireland – also took a 5-fer in that match), Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2022)

*Kerr is most-likely to rise up the list and break more records as she is just 22-years old so far.

54. Lindsay Anne Reeler (Australia, 1984-1988)

• Role: Right Arm Opening Batter
• Teams: Australia, New South Wales
• Known For: First woman to score 1000 ODI runs for Australia. Although she scored 2 hundreds and 8 fifties at 57.44 average in just 23 ODIs, she was forced to retire at the age of 27 due to a recurring knee injury.

53. Bismah Maroof (Pakistan, 2006-)

• Role: Allrounder (legbreak, left hand bat)
• Teams: Pakistan, Asia Women XI, Spirit
• Known For: Most T20Is for Pakistan (130) & #6 overall.

52. Marizanne Kapp (South Africa, 2009-)

• Role: Allrounder (Right Arm Medium, Right-hand Bat)
• Teams: South Africa, Sydney Sixers, Eastern Province, Falcons, Perth Scorchers, Oval Invincibles
• Known For: Highest Score for SA in an ODI WC (102*), has a T20I hattrick to his name. Also played in netball and athletics. Player of the match in inaugural Hundred final (4/9).

51. Rachael Haynes (Australia, 2009-2022)

• Role: Left-handed batter
• Teams: Australia, Australia U-23, Sydney Thunder, Victoria, Welsh Fire
• Known For: 98 on Test debut, record 6th-wicket partnership with Jodie Fields (229). 21 fifty plus scores (including 2 hundreds) in ODIs

50. Lydia Greenway (England, 2003-2016)

• Role: Left-handed batter
• Teams: England, Kent, Southern Vipers
• Known For: Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2012), ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2011)

49. Lynette Ann ‘Lyn’ Fullston (Australia, 1982-1988)

• Role: Slow left arm spinner
• Teams: Australia, South Australia
• Known For: 2nd Most Wickets in ODI WC (39). Took 20 wickets in her first Test series with best of 7/95.

48. Lizelle Lee (South Africa, 2013-2022)

Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2021), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2021)

• Role: Right Arm Opening Batter
• Teams: South Africa, Mpumalanga, North West, Hobart Hurricanes, Manchester Originals
• Known For: Highest opening T20I partnership in women’s cricket (163 with Dane van Niekerk). Ended with 100 ODIs, best of 132*, 36.42 average, and 3-100s, 23-50s.

47. Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka, 2009-2023)

• Role: Left Hand Bat, Right Arm offbreak
• Teams: Sri Lanka, Falcons, Kurunegala Youth Cricket Club, Supernovas, Perth Scorchers, Melbourne Renegades, Guyana Amazon Warriors
• Known For: 178* (155) vs Australia in the 2017 ODI World cup. Has 6 ODI centuries to her name and 1 T20I century

46. Shelley Nitschke (Australia, 2005-2011)

ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2010)

• Role: Allrounder (Left Hand bat, Slow left-arm orthodox)
• Teams: Australia, South Australia, Adelaide Strikers
• Known For: Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2009, 2011)

45. Carole Ann Hodges (England, 1984-1993)

• Role: Allrounder (Right Hand Bat, Right Arm Off Break)
• Teams: England, Lancashire and Cheshire Women
• Known For: Player of the 1988 ODI World Cup, Most Wickets in the ODI WC (37). Also the 5th highest run-scorer in women’s Test cricket.

44. Sashikala Siriwardene (Sri Lanka, 2003-2020)

• Role: Allrounder (Left hand bat, Right arm off break)
• Teams: Sri Lanka, Asia XI, Supernovas, Slimeline Sport Club, Marians
• Known For: 3rd youngest captain. One of 11 women cricketers to complete the double of 100 wickets and 1000 ODI runs. Inspirational figure in Sri Lankan cricket

43. Dane van Niekerk (South Africa, 2009-)

Wisden Cricketer of the Year 2022

• Role: Allrounder (Leg spinner, Right Arm Bat)
• Teams: South Africa, Highveld, Northerns, Adelaide Strikers, Oval Invincibles
• Known For: Took a hat-trick in 2013. Had a partnership of 163 with Lizelle Lee in 2014. Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2013)

42. Myrtle Maclagan (England, 1934-1951)

• Role: Right hand bat, Right arm off break
• Teams: England, South, Surrey
• Known For: According to Wisden, Maclagan was “one of the best-known women cricketers of her day.” She took 7/10 and made 72 in her first Test. Ended with 1007 Test runs, 2 hundreds, and 6 fifties.

41. Harmanpreet Kaur (India, 2009-2023)

• Role: Right hand middle order batter, right arm off break
• Teams: India, India B, India Green, Lancashire Thunder, Punjab, Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Renegades, Supernovas, Manchester Originals
• Known For: One of the biggest strikers in the women’s game, her 171* in the 2017 ODI World Cup semi-finals became a defining moment in Indian cricket.
• Has a T20I century (103), 4th most T20I runs (2956), Most T20I played (147), and 3rd most T20Is captained (92). Current Indian T20I captain.

40. Mignon du Preez (South Africa, 2007-2022)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Top Order Batter
• Teams: South Africa, Warriors, Northerns, Trent Rockets, Manchester Originals, Hobart Hurricanes
• Known For: Most ODIs for a South African women cricketer & 4th overall (154). Captained South Africa to 2014 T20 WC Semi-finals. Scored 258 runs as a 12-year-old with 16 sixes. Debuted for SA at 17

39. Salma Khatun (Bangladesh, 2011-2022)

• Role: Allrounder (Right hand bat, Right arm off break)
• Teams: Bangladesh, Trailblazers
• Known For: #1 ICC T20I bowling & Allrounder ranking. She has played most of Bangladesh women’s international matches, captaining them in a majority of them. ESPNCricinfo described her as “synonymous with Bangladesh’s women cricket.”

38. Diana Edulji (India, 1976-1993)

• Role: Slow left-arm orthodox
• Teams: India, Railways
• Known For: Highest women’s Test wickets for an Indian player (3rd of all-time), was the highest wicket-taker at the time of her retirement. Also played basketball and table tennis at a national level.

37. Smriti Mandhana (India, 2013-2023)

Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2018), Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award (2018, 2021), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2018)

• Role: Left-handed opening batter
• Teams: India, Maharashtra, India Green, Western Storm, Trailblazers, Sydney Thunder, Brisbane Heat, Southern Brave
• Known For: Catalyst for India’s transformation in limited overs from the 2017 ODI World Cup. Most sought after player in the inaugural WPL. Shortlisted for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2021, 2022)

36. Natalie Sciver-Brunt (England, 2013-2023)

Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2018), Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award (2022), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2022)

• Role: Allrounder (Right arm medium, Right-hand bat)
• Teams: England, Surrey, Rubies, Supernovas, Trent Rockets
• Known For: Game changing innings. Best of 169* (Tests), 148* (ODIs), and 82 (T20Is). Has a 33-ball 80 in ODIs in her name. Shortlisted for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2021)

35. Megan Schutt (Australia, 2012-2023*)

• Role: Right Arm Fast
• Teams: Australia, Australia U-21s, South Australia, Adelaide Strikers, London Spirit
• Known For: 4th best T20I wicket-taker of all-time (116), Joint #6 on Women’s ODI WC wicket-taker list.

34. Deandra Dottin (West Indies, 2008-2022)

• Role: Allrounder (Right Arm Medium, Right hand Bat)
• Teams: West Indies, Barbados, Trinbago Knight Riders, Trailblazers, Supernovas, Manchester Originals, London Spirit, Adelaide Strikers, Barmy Army Women
• Known For: First woman to score a 100 (38 balls) in T20I. Also has a 22-ball T20I 50. 2nd most ODIs for West Indies (143). Also is known for her discus, javelin, and shotput skills.
• Shortlisted for Women’s T20I Player of the Decade and ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2013)

33. Neetu David (India, 1995-2008)

• Role: Left-arm spinner
• Teams: India, Railways
• Known For: 33 wickets in 2004 & 2005 each with a career haul of 141 ODI wickets and 41 Test wickets. Shortlisted for ICC Women’s International Player of the Year Award (2006)

32. Katherine Sciver-Brunt (England, 2004-)

• Role: Allrounder (Right Arm Medium Fast, Right-Hand Bat)
• Teams: England, Yorkshire Diamonds, Northern Diamonds, Perth Scorchers, Melbourne Stars, Trent Rockets
• Known For: 5th highest ODI wicket taker of all-time (170) and highest for England, 6th highest T20I wicket-taker (111). Took 8/84 in the 2005 Ashes. Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2006, 2010)

31. Sana Mir (Pakistan, 2005-2019)

• Role: Right arm off break
• Teams: Pakistan, South Zone, Sapphires
• Known For: Most wickets for Pakistan in ODIs, 2nd most in T20Is for Pakistan. In 2018, she was #1 in the ODI rankings. Wasim Khan, PCB’s CEO at the time, said, that Mir “has been the face of Pakistan women’s cricket for many years and the real source of inspiration for the young generation of women cricketers.”

30. Amy Satterthwaite (New Zealand, 2007-2022)

ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2017)

• Role: Left Hand Bat, Right Arm off break
• Teams: New Zealand, Canterbury, Manchester Original
• Known For: Joint-most ODIs for NZ (145), scored 4 consecutive ODI centuries in 2017 (and followed with a 85). Ended with 4639 runs at 38.33 with 7 hundreds.

29. Tammy Beaumont (England, 2009-2022)

Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2019), ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2021)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Opening Batter
• Teams: England, Kent, Diamonds, Sydney Thunder, London Spirit, Welsh Fire
• Known For: Player of the Tournament (2017 ODI WC), Joint 4th career 100s (8), Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2021)

28. Sophie Devine (New Zealand, 2006-2023)

• Role: Allrounder (Right hand bat, Right Arm Medium)
• Teams: New Zealand, Supernovas, Wellington, Adelaide Strikers, Birmingham Phoenix, Perth Scorchers, Tornadoes
• Known For: First player (male or female) to score 5+ T20I fifties in a row. Current captain of the NZ team. Also played hockey for NZ
• Records: 5th most T20I runs (2950), Shortlisted for ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Decade, ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2022)

27. Lisa Keightley (Australia, 1995-2005)

• Role: Right Arm Bat
• Teams: Australia, New South Wales
• Known For: Player of the Tournament (2000 ODI World Cup). Her 156* vs Pakistan was the highest women’s score until Belinda Clark broke it later that year. First player to score a hundred at Lord’s.

26. Shabnim Ismail (South Africa, 2007-)

• Role: Right Arm Fast bowler (left hand bat)
• Teams: South Africa, Western Province, Gauteng, Melbourne Renegades, Oval Invincibles, Sapphires
• Known For: 6/10 vs Bangladesh in an ODI. Also took 5/12 in a T20I.
• Records: 2nd most career ODI wickets (191), 5th most T20I wickets (116), 5th highest ODI WC wicket-taker (36), 35 ODI wickets in 2022, Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2022)

25. Beth Mooney (Australia, 2016-2023)

Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2020), ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2017)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Left-handed batter
• Teams: Australia, Yorkshire, Queensland U-15s, Queensland, London Spirit, Perth Scorchers, London Spirit
• Known For: Player of the tournament and highest run-scorer (2020 T20 WC). 5th highest career ODI average (52.45). Scored 594 runs at 9900 in 2021 as well as 449 runs at 56.12.

24. Anya Shrubsole (England, 2008-2022)

Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2018)

• Role: Right Arm Medium
• Teams: England, Rubies, Somerset, Southern Brave
• Known For: Player of the 2014 T20 WC, Player of the WC Final (2017 ODI WC – 6/46), #6 on ODI WC wicket-taker list (34), Shortlisted for Women’s T20I Player of the Decade, ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2013)

23. Betty Snowball (England, 1934-1949)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: England
• Known For: Wisden remarks that Snowball was “one of the major figures of women’s cricket for two decades” and “generally accepted as the outstanding wicketkeeper of her generation.” Also played squash and lacrosse internationally.

22. Anisa Mohammed (West Indies, 2003-2022)

• Role: Right Arm Off-Spinner
• Teams: West Indies, Trinidad & Tobago, Trinbago Knight Riders
• Known For: Most T20I wickets (125), 3rd most joint ODI career wickets (180), Joint most wickets in a calendar year (37), Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2012). Debuted for West Indies at age 15.

21. Alyssa Healy (Australia, 2010-)

ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2018, 2019)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: Australia, Australia U-23s, New South Wales, Sydney Sixers, Northern Superchargers
• Known For: Big match player. Player of the 2020 T20WC Final – 75 (39) and 2022 ODI WC – 170 (138). Changed her career trajectory when he began opening
• Records: Most T20I dismissals (105), #4 on most T20Is played (137), Player of the Tournament (2018 T20 WC & 2022 ODI WC), Scored 148 (61) vs SL in 2019
• Shortlisted for Women’s T20I Player of the Decade, ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2012), Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2022)

20. Mary Duggan (England, 1949-1963)

• Role: Right Hand Bat, Left Arm medium & Left Arm slow
• Teams: England, South, Middlesex, Yorkshire
• Known For: Most wickets in Women’s Tests (77). Ended her career with a 101*

19. Heather Knight (England, 2010-2023*)

Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2018)

• Role: Right Arm Bat, Right Arm Off break
• Teams: England, London Spirit, Berkshire, Hobart Hurricanes, Rubies, Diamond
• Known For: 157, 168* in Test Cricket, 3589 Runs in ODI Cricket, 2nd most successful English ODI captain (48 wins/72 matches)

18. Janette ‘Jan’ Britten (England, 1979-1998)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer

• Role: Right Arm Bat
• Teams: England, Surrey
• Known For: 1935 runs at 49.61 in Tests & 2121 ODIs at 42.42 average. Total of 10 centuries across formats. Highest scorer at the 1993 ODI WC, helping England win the title.
• Records: 3rd Most runs scored in Women’s ODI World Cup (1299), Most catches in ODI WC (19). Most Test matches for a women cricketer (27), most Test runs in a year (531), and oldest to score a Test century at 39

17. Suzie Bates (New Zealand, 2006-)

ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2013, 2016), Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2015), ICC T20I Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2016)

• Role: Allrounder (Right Arm Bat, Right Arm Medium)
• Teams: New Zealand, Otago, Falcons, Adelaide Strikers, Sydney Sixers, Trailblazers, Oval Invincibles, Perth Scorchers
• Known For: Scored 168 (105) vs Pakistan and 4/7 vs South Africa in the 2009 ODI WC as NZ made the finals. Represented NZ in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in basketball.
• Records: Most T20I runs (3683), Player of the Tournament (2013 ODI WC), New Zealand captain (76 matches), 2nd most career centuries (12), 4th highest career ODI runs (5114) and 4th most 50+ scores (40), 5th highest ODI World Cup run scorer (1151). Most catches in WODI history (78), Joint-most ODIs for NZ (145), 2nd most T20Is of all-time (140)
• Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade, ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Decade, and ICC’s T20I Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2013, 2018)

16. Stefanie Taylor (West Indies, 2008-2023)

ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2011), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2011, 2012), ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2015)

• Role: Allrounder (Right Arm Bat, Right Arm off break)
• Teams: West Indies, Auckland, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Southern Brave, Tornadoes, Trailblazers
• Known For: Leading West Indies to the 2016 WT20 World Cup. First player to become #1 ODI player (both bowling and batting). Scored 171 vs Sri Lanka in the 2013 ODI WC. Also a talented soccer player
• Records: Player of the 2016 T20 WC (and the highest wicket-taker), 3rd most career ODI runs (5367), career fifties (44), and T20I runs (3124). 5th most ODIs played and most for West Indies (148)
• Shortlisted for Women’s cricketer of the decade, ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2010), ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2012, 2014), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2013, 2014)

15. Debbie Hockley (New Zealand, 1979-2000)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer

• Role: Right Hand Bat
• Teams: New Zealand, Canterbury, North Shore
• Known For: Her longevity. Played her first match at the age of 17 and last match at age of 38. She was the first woman to score 4000 ODI runs and play 100 ODIs. Played in New Zealand’s only ODI World Cup win in 2000
• Records: Most runs scored in ODI World Cups (1501), Player of the 1997 WC Final (79 (121))

14. Sarah Taylor (England, 2006-2021)

ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2012, 2013), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2014)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand bat
• Teams: England, Lancashire Thunder, Sussex, Rubies, Surrey Stars, Wellington, Adelaide Strikers, Welsh Fire
• Known For: Quick stumpings. Her stumpings are legendary and will go down as the greatest wicketkeeper in women’s cricket of all-time. One of the great modern day batters for England as well.
• 2nd most dismissals in ODI (136) and T20I (74) career, Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade, ICC ODI Cricketer of the Year (2012)

13. Lisa Sthalekar (Australia, 2001-2013)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer

• Role: Allrounder (Right arm off break, Right hand bat)
• Teams: Australia, New South Wales, Sydney Sixers
• Known For: Scored 2728 runs in ODI cricket, including 2 hundreds to go along with 146 ODI wickets. First woman to take 100 wickets & score 1000 ODI runs. Part of the 2005 and 2013 ODI WC winning team. Australia’s highest wicket-taker in the 2009 ODI WC.
• Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2007, 2008) and for ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2012)

12. Karen Rolton (Australia, 1995-2009)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer, ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2006)

• Role: Left Hand Bat, Left arm medium pace
• Teams: Australia, South Australia
• Known For: According to ESPNCricinfo, “Rolton enjoyed a bumper year in 2006, sealing her status as one of the leading inspirational figures in women’s cricket to date.”
• Records: Player of the Tournament (2005 ODI World Cup), Player of the Final (2005 WC – 107*(128)), Joint 4th career 100s (8), 4th most 50+ scores (41). Scored a 209 in Tests (highest at that time). Played hocked in the off-season.

11. Cathryn Fitzpatrick (Australia, 1991-2007)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer

• Role: Right Arm Fast bowler
• Teams: Australia, Victoria
• Known For: Her pace. One of the fastest women’s cricket has ever produced (75 mph). First women to breach the 150 ODI wickets mark, she is now the 3rd most career wickets of all-time. (180). Shortlisted for the ICC Female Player of the Year (2006). An economy of 3.01 in ODIs.

10. Jhulan Goswami (India, 2002-2022)

ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2007)

• Role: Right Arm Fast Bowler
• Teams: India, Bengal, Air India, Trailblazers
• Known For: One of Indian women’s cricket pioneer and one of the greatest fast bowlers. Was inspired to play cricket as a ball girl in the 1997 ODI WC and used to travel from Chakdaha to Kolkata to practice
• 2nd Most ODIs played (204), Most Career ODI Wickets (253), Most Wickets in the ODI World Cup (43), Shortlisted for ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Decade

Also Read: 20 Years of Mithali Raj And Jhulan Goswami: Eternal Legends for Indian & Women Cricket

9. Claire Taylor (England, 1998-2011)

ICC Hall of Famer, Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2009), ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2009)

• Role: Wicketkeeper, Right hand Batter
• Teams: England, Thames Valley
• Known For: Scored 156 at Lord’s, surpassing Viv Richards’ 138*. With 1030 Test runs and 4101 ODI runs, she goes down as one of England’s best. First women to be inducted in Wisden’s Cricketer of the Year awards.
• Player of the Tournament (2009 ODI & T20I WC) Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2007, 2008), Joint 4th career 100s across formats (8)

8. Betty Wilson (Australia, 1948-1958)

ICC Hall of Famer

• Role: Right Hand Batter, Right Arm Off break
• Teams: Australia, Victoria
• Known For: Martin Williamson from ESPNCricinfo’s reckson’s that Wilson was “one of women cricket’s greatest players, and her tag as the female Bradman is not untoward.” She was close to senior cricket by the team she was 16, but due to World War, she had to wait for another decade.
• Record: In her 11 official Tests, scored 862 runs at 57.46 with 3 hundreds & 3 fifties. She took 68 wickets as well with the best of 7/7 and a brilliant bowling average of 11.80.

7. Belinda Clark (Australia, 1991-2005)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer

• Role: Right hand batter
• Teams: Australia, Prime Minister’s XI, New South Wales, Victoria
• Known For: Scored 229* in the 1997 ODI World Cup vs Denmark, which was the highest ODI score till Martin Guptill’s 237*. She was also Australia’s captain in the 1997 and 2005 ODI WC victories
• Other Records: Player of the Final (2000 WC Final – 91 (102)), 5th highest ODI run-scorer (4844), 3rd most matches played as ODI captain (101, won 83). At the time of her retirement, she had the most ODI & Test runs.

6. Meg Lanning (Australia, 2010-)

Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2014), ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2014), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2015)

• Role: Middle Order Batter
• Teams:
• Known For: Genius batter for sure, but Lanning will go down as one of the greatest captains in cricket’s history (40 wins in 42 ODIs). An Australian icon.
• Records: 2nd most T20I runs (3297), Youngest Ever ODI centurion for Australia at 18 (broke Ricky Ponting’s record by three years), youngest Australian captain, two of the highest women’s T20I score (126, 133*). Most career centuries across formats (15), 5th most matches as ODI captain (75, including 66 wins and record streak) and most matches as T20I captain (95).
• Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade, ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Decade, ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Decade, ICC Women’s T20I Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2013, 2018), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2013)

5. Mithali Raj (India, 1999-2022)

Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2017)

• Role: Top Order Batter
• Teams: India, Air India Women, India Blue, Asia Women XI, Velocity
• Known For: India’s greatest cricketer and best WODI batter of all-time. Debuted at age 16, she became the first woman cricketer to play for two decades. Led India to the 2005 and the 2017 ODI World Cup finals. Her contribution to rise of women’s cricket in India is immense.
• Records: Most ODIs played (232), Most matches as captain (155), Most matches won as captain (89), Most runs in ODI career (7805), Most ODI 50+ scorers (71), 2nd most runs in the ODI World Cup (1321)
• Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade, ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Decade, ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2014), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2014)

4. Ellyse Perry (Australia, 2007-)

ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade, ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Decade, ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Decade, Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World (2016, 2019), Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award (2017, 2019), Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2020), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2019)

• Role: Allrounder (Right arm fast bowler, right hand middle order batter)
• Teams: Australia, Australia U-23s, New South Wales, Birmingham Phoenix, Sydney Sixers
• Known For: Youngest Australian to play for the ICC WC and the FIFA WC. Her Test double century (213) is one of the finest in women’s cricket. She has also written five books.
• Some of her records include 3rd most T20I wickets (120), 5th most number of T20Is played (134), and has played every T20I WC. Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2010).
• Member of the winning squad of the ODI World Cup (2013, 2022), T20I World Cup (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020), Commonwealth Games (2022)

Also Read: What Can Ellyse Perry Not Do?

3. Enid Turton Bakewell (England, 1968-1982)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer

• Role: Allrounder (Right Hand Bat, Left Arm Slow Orthodox)
• Teams: England, Nottinghamshire, East Midland
• Known For: Scored back-to-back Test centuries. First England Test cricketer to score a 100 and take a 10-fer in the same match; Scored the most runs in the inaugural 1973 Cricket World Cup, including a 100 in the final as England took the trophy home.

2. Rachael Heyhoe Flint (England, 1960-1982)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer

• Role: Right Hand Bat
• Teams: England, West Midlands
• Known For: Scored 3 Test Centuries and captained England to the inaugural 1973 ODI World Cup victory. Flint was England’s captain for more than a decade. When she retired, had the most Test runs in women’s cricket. Best of 179 in Tests (521-minute innings). Considered one of the pioneers of women’s cricket. Also played for the England field hockey team as a goalkeeper.

1. Charlotte Edwards (England, 1996-2016)

ICC Cricket Hall of Famer, Wisden Cricketer of the Year (2014), ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2008)

• Role: Top Order Batter
• Teams: England, Kent, Northern Districts, Western Australia, South Australia, Perth Scorchers, Adelaide Strikers, Southern Vipers
• Known For: At her debut, Edwards was the youngest woman to play for England at 16. With 13 international centuries, player of the 2012 T20 WC, an innings of 173* in an ODI World Cup, three-time Ashes winning captain, WT20 winning captain, and ODI winning captain, she goes down as the greatest female cricketer of all-time. Won numerous County titles with Kent as well.
• Some of her other records include 2nd Most career ODI runs (5992), 2nd most ODI fifties (55), 3rd Most centuries (9), 4th Most runs in the ODI World Cup (1231), 3rd Most ODIs played (191), 2nd Most matches as ODI captain (117, won 72) and T20I captain (93 matches, won 68).
• Shortlisted for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year (2009, 2011), ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Year (2014), ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year (2013, 2014)

Other Women Cricketers Who Were Considered

• Australia: Lily Poulett Harris, Michelle Goskzo, Bronwyn Calver, Jill Kennare, Dawn Rae, Joanne Broadbent, Charmaine Mason, Julia Price, Denise Martin, Julie Hunter, Georgia Redmayne, Grace Harris, Nicole Bolton, Molly Strano, Ash Gardner, Jodi Fields
• England: Christiana Willes (overarm bowling), Lynne Thomas, Clare Connor, Joanna ‘Jo Chamberlain’ Michelle Jordan, Rosalie Birch, Danielle Hazell, Danni Wyatt
• New Zealand: Haidee Tiffenn, Trish McKelvey, Emily Drumm, Katrina Keenan, Kirsty Flavell, Jim Saulbrey, Lea Tahuhu, Rachel Priest, Sarah Illingworth
• India: Deepti Sharma, Shantha Rangaswamy, Thirush Kamini, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Priyanka Roy
• Sri Lanka: Deepika Rasingka, Rose Fernando
• West Indies: Shemaine Campbell
• Thailand: Nattaya Boochatham
• Ireland: Laura Delaney, Mary Waldron

The Criteria

Although the ranking of the 75 greatest women cricketers of all-time was subjective, we made sure to include all the players that fit the following criteria:

• Member of ICC Hall of Fame
• Received or were shortlisted for the ICC Women Cricketer of the Year Award (T20I, ODI, or Player of the Decade)
• Made the Wisden Women Cricketer of the Year or the Wisden Leading Women Cricketer lists
• Top 5 run scorers in the Women’s ODI World Cup, Women’s T20 World Cup, Women’s Test cricket or Top 10 run scorers in Women’s ODI and Women’s T20I overall.
• Top 5 wicket-taker in Women’s T20 World Cup, Women’s ODI World Cup, Women’s Test or Top 10 wicket-takers in Women’s ODI and Women’s T20I overall
• Top 2 in all-time dismissals as a wicketkeeper in Tests, ODIs, or T20Is

Note, since Women’s Test are a rarity (27 Tests is the maximum a women’s cricketer has played), more consideration is given on T20I & ODI records as well as World Cup performances.

Final Thoughts

The top 75 women cricketers of all-time have not only made an indelible mark on cricket’s history but also paved the way for future generations to follow in their footsteps.

Earlier today, we took a glimpse into the future of women’s cricket with the Women’s IPL auction. The 2022 Women’s ODI World Cup was as competitive as ever and the 2023 T20 World Cup is delivering to its potential!

There is no doubt that the current crop of incredible female athletes will continue to inspire generations to come and shape the future of cricket, but we should remember, none of these would have been possible without the generations of cricketers that preceded them.

These remarkable players have set a high bar for those who are willing to strive and succeed in this amazing sport we all love.

Frequently Asked Questions

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, LLC, 2023. Contact us at bcd@brokencricketdreams.com. Originally published on 02/14/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).