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.
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
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.”
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)
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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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
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.
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
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.”
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.
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.”
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.
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.
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)
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.
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)
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.
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.
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)
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
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)
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)
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))
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)
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)
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.
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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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)
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)
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)
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.
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.
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 include2nd 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)
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-timedismissals 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.
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
Who is the best female cricketer?
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 10 greatest women cricketers of all-time.
Who is the most famous female cricketer?
Ellyse Perry is the most famous female cricketer, followed by Smriti Mandhana.
Who is the greatest women’s cricketer of all time?
Rachael Heyhoe-Flint has remained an important woman’s cricketer for over twenty years. During her time playing in the early women’s game she revolutionized the cricketing world. She helped to create and promote the women’s World Cup and was involved in a number of administrative aspects of cricket. Without Heyhoe-Flint, talented cricketers may have been tainted by a lack of international competition.
At the end of a close series, Australia marched ahead in the multi-series with 4 wins & 11 points, while India languished at just 5 points, with 1 win.
India have closed gaps in all formats, but Australia are still one step ahead. Without further ado, here are some highlights from this series—Scorecards, Stats, Summaries, and Awards.
India saw lots of Beth Mooney. A constant source of runs for the Australian team. With scores of 59 (tour match), 125* & 52 (ODI), 34 & 61 (T20I), she was the highest run scorer across the three formats. Mooney, who had replaced Rachael Haynes in the T20I squad, has now risen to #1 ranking. Her best innings came in the 2nd ODI, taking Australia from 52/4 in the 16th over to 275/5 on the last ball. She stitched two partnerships—126 (137) with McGrath & 97* (71) with Nicola Carey.
Tahlia McGrath & Darcie Brown were the finds of the series for Australia.
McGrath was an all-round package with contributions of 74 & 3/45, 47 & 1/46 (ODI), 28 (Test), and 42* & 44* to finish things off in the T20Is.
Darcie Brown set the tone for Australia in the first ODI. With Perry not back at her best with the ball, Brown took responsibility with a match-winning 4/33 in only her 2nd ODI, limiting India to 225. Hannah Darlington, the debutant also chipped in with a couple of wickets.
The series cannot be summarized without the contributions of Sophie Molineux. She was consistently among the wickets and stifled India’s run rate in the middle overs, taking 11 wickets in total. The most courageous moment of the series came in the 3rd ODI when Molineux got hit in the lip and started bleeding. She went off the field, but came back with her face bandaged to finish her quota of overs. However, it could not prevent the end of the streak.
Jhulan Goswami might be coming to the end of her career, but she still has what it takes at the international level. In the first ODI, she scored 20 to get India to a respectable total of 225 after a brief collapse. In the 2nd ODI, her batting again came at the fore with 28* but was at the receiving end of an umpiring no-ball call which resulted in Australia’s last ball victory. Joy and sorrow within minutes. Redemption soon followed in the 3rd ODI with a player-of-the-match performance—3/37 & 8* with a last-ball six. For her all-round performance, Elyse Villani on commentary started #JusticeForJhulan to get Goswami to play T20 cricket.
Mandhana & Rodrigues came back in style after doubts on their ability. Mandhana’s 127 in the Test match and 52 in the T20I reinforced her class after a lean season. Jemimah Rodrigues was the story of The Hundred as the 2nd highest scorer with 249 runs, 3 50s, and the best innings of the tournament with that 92*. She continued her form in the T20I, scoring 49* in a rain-effected game.
With Jemimah out of the ODI side, debutant Yastika Bhatia grabbed her opportunity with scores of 35 & 64 in the ODIs. Her fluency and promotion at #3 meant India did not miss Jemimah or inured Harmanpreet Kaur much. Good foil for stalwart Mithali Raj.
Awards
Australia Women
India Women
Emerging Player
Georgia Wareham
Yastika Bhatia
Surprise Package
Tahlia McGrath
Pooja Vastrakar
Broken Cricket Dream
Australia’s Record ODI Streak Breaks
Jhulan-Mithali’s Final Test Match?
Australia Women Vs India Women 2021 Series Awards
Where Do They Go From Here?
The much awaited ODI World Cup will commence in March 2022. Australia plays its first match against arch-rivals England on March 4th, while India begin their journey on the 5th. Here is the detailed schedule.
So what did I think of the series?
Do not go by the scoreline, but it was much closer than expected. In each match, India competed most of the game, either falling narrowly or just before the end. In the Tests, India actually dominated (if only for a 5th Day…).
However there is still a long way to go. In parallel to men’s cricket, this era of Indian-Australian rivalry resembles the early 2000s. Australia are at the top of the world across formats & have just completed a famous streak. India have a new fanbase with good shows in the recent World Cups. Their best show can defeat any team on their day, but it might still take a decade to establish a decent bench strength like Australia.
Australia Women Vs New Zealand Women Series Review—An All-Time great Australian team brushes aside a struggling White Ferns outfit, the home team. A few major moments in this series.
The return of Ellyse Perry, Australia Women breaking Ponting’s ODI streak, Kasperek’s 3-wicket over, and Ashleigh Gardner’s golden run were some of the highlights.
Alyssa Healy – 155 runs Best of 65, 51.66 average, 98.72 SR
Lauren Down – 106 runs Best of 90, 35.33 average, 68.83 SR
Most Wickets
Megan Schutt – 7 wickets Best of 4/32, 13.14 average, 4.18 economy
Leigh Kasperek – 9 wickets Best of 6/46, 7.77 average, 4.66 economy
Australia Women Vs New Zealand Women 2021 ODI Series Stats
The Moments
Australia Women
Ellyse Perry finally came back since injuring herself in the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup. Before the pandemic hit. Although not back to her fluent self, she finished a couple of games with 23* and 56*. Bowling is still a worry though. In the 3 ODIs & 3 T20Is, she bowled a combined 7 overs with only one wicket to her name. With Alyssa Healy hitting form in the T20I series, good signs for Australia that their two best batters are getting back to their best.
Ashleigh Gardner has been on a golden run in the past two years, hitting 3 T20I fifties (best of 93), including a 73* in this series. Also hit a 53* in an ODI and rolled her arm a few times for part-time off-spin.
Jess Jonassen & Megan Schutt were the pick of this series with the ball. Jonassen’s 3 wickets in the T20I gave Australia the edge in the first T20I, while figures of 4/32, 1/38, & 2/22 earned Schutt the Player of the Series award in the ODI series. With 99 wickets (ODI) & 96 wickets (T20Is), she is on a verge of couple of records.
Nicola Carey (3/34 in 1st ODI), Rachel Haynes (87 in 2nd ODI) starred in a couple of games as well.
Speaking of records, let us talk about the big one. Meg Lanning has now led Australia to 24 consecutive ODI wins, regrouping after their 2017 WC defeat against India. They overtook Ricky Ponting’s 21 consecutive ODI wins in the great 2003 era.
This is a huge achievement for the Australian team, and it will take quite a dominant team to take over this record. I am saying this may last a couple of decades. CONGRATULATIONS TO Lanning and the rest of this Australian team.
New Zealand Women
Leigh Kasperek was one of the only stand-outs from the Kiwi side in the ODIs. Although Australia swept the series, Kasperek took a 6-wicket haul, including 3 wickets in the same over in the 3rd ODI. Australia are really good, there is still room for improvement against spin.
Frances Mackay’s show won New Zealand their only victory in the 2nd T20I of the series. Opening the bowling, her spell of 4-0-20-2 stalled Australia’s run-rate, but her courageous batting display won her praise. Mackay opened the batting as well and battled through an injury to score 46 (39). After her wicket, Kiwis collapsed from 81-2 in 12 overs to 101-6 when Amelia Kerr got out in 17.0 overs. Composed 30-run partnership between Maddy Green & Hannah Rowe took New Zealand off the last ball. Thriller.
Breakout tour for Lauren Down. Only 75 runs in 10 innings prior to this tour, her 90 (134) set the platform for the White Ferns in the first ODI. Unfortunately, the lower order collapsed, and Australia women completed the record breaking streak.
Awards
Australia Women
New Zealand Women
Emerging Player
Nicola Carey
Lauren Down
Surprise Package
Ashleigh Gardner, the all-rounder
Frankie Mackay
Broken Cricket Dream
Ellyse Perry’s bowling load
The White Ferns’ Declining form
Australia Women Vs New Zealand Women 2021 Series Awards
Where Do They Go From Here?
New Zealand Women tour England for 3 T20Is and 5 ODIs In September, while Australia do not have anything scheduled till the 2022 ODI World Cup next March (to be held in New Zealand).
That means, the next major tournament, is going to be the Hundred this summer in England. Will be a game-changer for women’s cricket.
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Controversy of the Day: Nobody cares about women’s cricket.
Women’s Cricket— Can’t Live With It, Can Definitely Live Without It. At least that is the attitude of cricket administration and mediaaround the world.
Today news came in that the BCCI finally decided to organize women’s matches, simultaneously with the men’s Vijay Hazare Trophy & the Vinoo Mankad U-19 Trophy. After the 4 match Women’s T20 Challenge, there is something to look forward to for the Indian Women team.
Is it enough, though? How are all the other women international teams faring during this time? Why did we get here? Could more have been done over the last year?
So many questions…Don’t worry, I got you.
Post-COVID statistics between Women’s Vs Men’s cricket, looking ahead to 2021, facts about the women’s game we should all know as cricket fans, and the way forward for women’s cricket.
*Note: Underlined & Bolded links are videos. Underlined without bold are links to other articles.
March 8th, 2020—the peak for Women’s Cricket at the World T20 World Cup Final between Australia & India.
86, 174 spectators.
Following the monumental 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup, women’s cricket began moving in a positive direction. Casual cricket fans began to take notice, fan following increased for the likes of Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, & Smriti Mandhana, and representation in broadcasting expanded with Lisa Sthalekar, Isa Guha, & Ebony Rainford-Brent among others. Investment rose with the Women Big Bash League (WBBL), Kia Super League, & even the Women’s T20 Challenge. The highly anticipated experiment, The Hundred, was scheduled simultaneously with the men’s version for last summer.
The rise continued & on the auspicious International Women’s Day, the record number of spectators at the Women’s 2020 T20 World Cup confirmed Mithali Raj’s statement, “Truly I believe women’s cricket has come in the mainstream now.”
Momentum Halts For Women’s Cricket
March 8th, 2020—also the last time since India Women took field.
None. Zero. Nada.
It has been almost 11 months without any international cricket, domestic competition, or even a national training camp. Meanwhile, Indian men have played a 60-match IPL, & toured Australia from November-January for a 3-T20I, 3 ODI, and 4 classic Test matches. India women’s 3 match ODI tour of Australia scheduled in January? Cancelled due to coronavirus at the end of December. Explain that…
The momentum has truly been halted. Not only India, Sri Lanka & Bangladesh women have not had much cricket either (although training camp has started for Bangladesh). Even the inaugural edition of the Hundred was postponed.
The second edition of men’s Indian Premier League post-COVID is about to begin in a couple of months and a 10-team IPL is rumored in 2022. On the other hand, after the gigantic leap from 1 match in 2018 to 4 matches in 2019, the Women T20 Challenge did not expand in 2020. And guess what? Those who participated in the Challenge were robbed of the opportunity to play WBBL due to bio-bubble regulations.
The biggest casualty, though was the earlier scheduled 2021 ICC Women’s World Cup.
Starting next week, from February 6th-March 7th, New Zealand was supposed to host World Cup. YES, New Zealand, the country best placed to host an international event in these circumstances. Yet, in August the ICC postponed it due to ‘disparity in level of preparedness’ between the different countries.
Men’s Vs Women’s Cricket: Post-Covid Statistics
Thanks to the ECB and their bio-secured bubble protocols, cricket started back with the England-West Indies Test Series. Since then, both men’s & women’s cricket restarted, but here is a table that shows the disparity of the amount of games played.
Since July, the men have had a maximum possible 128 days of international cricket scheduled (5 days maximum per test) as opposed to just 16 days for the women (5 of which were Austria Vs Germany T20I). Across formats & countries, men have clocked in 540 matches, while women have played a mere 144 matches.
Men’s Cricket
Women’s Cricket
International Matches Played (June 2020-January 2021)
96 matches (24 T20Is, 12 ODIs, 15 Tests including WTC Final + 45 match 2021 T20 World Cup)
18 matches (9 ODIs, 9 T20Is)
Total Matches (Mar 2020-2021) *excluding T20/Domestic Leagues for 2021
636 matches
162 matches
Post-Covid Men’s & Women’s Cricket Summary
*Table does not include the 3 Eng-SA & the 2 Ire-UAE ODIs that were cancelled due to COVID.
Series Summary
Here are the details of the various series, leagues, & domestic tournaments played over the last year.
*Australia (Aus), New Zealand (NZ), India (Ind), England (Eng), Sri Lanka (SL), South Africa (SA), Pakistan (Pak), West Indies (WI), Bangladesh (Ban), Zimbabwe (Zim), Ireland (Ire), & Afghanistan (Afg).
International Matches Played (June 2020-January 2021)
Men’s
WI tour Eng (3 Tests), Pak tour Eng (3 Tests, 3 T20I), Ire tour Eng (3 ODIs), Aus tour Eng (3 T20Is, 3 ODIs)
Zim tour Pak (3 ODI, 3 T20I), Ire tour UAE (4 ODIs – 2 cancelled), Ire Vs Afg (3 ODI)
Eng tour SA (3 T20I, ODIs abandoned), SL tour SA (2 Tests), Eng tour SL (2 Tests)
WI tour NZ (3 T20I, 2 Tests), Pak tour NZ (3 T20I, 2 Tests)
Ind tour Aus (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is, 4 Tests)
*Excludes 16 games played by Guersney, Isle of Man, Luxembourg, Czech Republic, Belgium, Bulgaria, Malta, Romania
Women’s
Austria tour Germany (5 T20I)
WI tour England (5 T20I)
NZ tour Aus (3 ODI, 3 T20I)
T10 & T20 Leagues Played Around the World
Men: Caribbean Premier League (33 matches), Indian Premier League (60), Sri Lanka Premier League (23), Big Bash League (61), T10 League (29)
Women: WBBL (59 matches), IPL Exhibition games (4)
Domestic Cricket
Men: Bob Willis Trophy (Eng – 46 matches), 2020 T20 Vitality Blast (Eng – 97), 32 Super Smash (NZ – 32), Syed Mustaq Ali Trophy (India – 103)
Well if you thought 2020 was bad, 2021’s schedule does not seem like a drastic improvement either. Sure, just like the Vijay Hazare & Vinoo Mankad, more matches may be scheduled later, but the number of planned games in 2021 tells you the story.
Women’s Cricket 2021 Schedule
According to the ICC Fixtures for the next year, Women’s cricket looks as follows:
Pak tour SA (3 ODI, 3 T20I): Jan 20-Feb 3 (Ongoing)
Eng tour NZ (3 ODI, 3 T20I): Feb 23-Mar 5
Aus tour NZ (3 ODI, 3 T20I): Mar 27-Apr 10
After this, the next scheduled international fixture is the postponed 2022 Women’s World Cup that begins on March 4th, 2022. Domestically, apart from women’s edition of Vijay Hazare & Vinoo Mankad U-19, Australia National Cricket League (28 matches) has been announced, with The Hundred, Women Big Bash League, & Women’s T20 Challenge possibly returning for 2021.
Men’s Cricket Schedule 2021
While international women’s cricket as a whole has only been scheduled 18 limited overs matches in 2021, the Men’s England Test team alone are slotted 17 Test Matches (18 if they reach the WTC final), apart from the T20 World Cup & other bilateral series.
Currently, WI tour of Ban (3 ODI, 2 Tests) & SA tour of Pak (2 Tests, 3 T20Is) are ongoing, with the England tour of India (4 Tests, 5 T20I, 3 ODI), IPL 2021 (60 matches), & The Hundred on the horizon.
51 matches planned in 2021 (24 T20Is, 12 ODIs, 15 Tests including WTC Final)
45 match ICC Men’s T20I World Cup October-November (in India)
Did You Know?
Who was the first cricketer to score a double century in ODI? Umm..Sachin Tendulkar 200* Vs South Africa in 2010, right? Wrong. It was actually Belinda Clark’s 229* in the 1997 Women’s Cricket World Cup.
The real question is, do we ourselves pay enough attention to Women’s Cricket or just hypocritically vouch for the women’s game?
We all know about Tendulkar’s 100 100s, Bradman’s 99.94, Muralitharan’s 800, Sharma’s 264. For our collective cultural enhancement, here is a short list of statistics and facts we should all know about Women’s Cricket.
Numbers & Facts in Women’s Cricket We Should All Know
*Note, this stats are divided by format: Test | ODI | T20I .
Batting
Most Runs: 1935 – Jan Brittin (Eng) | 6,888 – Mithali Raj (Ind) | 3301 – Suzie Bates (NZ)
Most Dismissals (Keeper):58 – Christina Matthews (Aus) | 160 – Trisha Chetty (SA) | 93 – Alyssa Healy (Aus)
Teams
Highest Team Total:569/6 declared Aus (vs Eng) | 491/5 NZ (Vs Ire) | 314/2 Uganda (Vs Mali)
World Cups: ODIs – Aus (6 times), Eng (4), NZ (1) | T20Is – Aus (5 times), Eng (1), WI (1)
A Way Forward
Australia, England, & New Zealand are historically the most successful women cricket teams and rightly so. They have invested in women’s cricket for decades & are broadening the recruitment of young girls in cricket. Other countries lag behind in the recruitment, infrastructure, & investment.
In the COVID era, the template provided by NZ’s Super Smash, India’s Vijay Hazare, & England’s Hundred should become common. The corresponding matches for the same teams should be played on the same day for both the men & women respectively. This may help out with spectators & TV revenues as well.
This is definitely possible for domestic competitions & T20 leagues, but should even be considered for international tours as well, at least for the limited overs leg.
These are just some limited thoughts, but there are limitless ideas to promote women’s cricket if enough focus is given to this part of the sport.
Supply & Demand
More needs to be done for Women’s Cricket in current times. If this break continues longer, experienced players will start to retire, budding youngsters might not receive opportunity (and hence, may leave the sport altogether), and the compounding loss of revenue will hurt women’s cricket for generations to come.
If the ICC and national boards do not ramp up support in 2021, as Anjum Chopra called it, Women’s Cricket will remain just as an ‘add on’ feature, and nothing more. Who knows, instead of waiting for their next opportunity, the likes of Mithali Raj & Jhulan Goswami should just retire now, join administration, take matters in their own hands, fix women’s cricket administration, un-retire and play.
Women Cricket’s current status can be summarized with the saying, “If you are not at table, you are on the menu.”
Hope Remains
Although the coronavirus break as halted the momentum, hope remains. With the T20 international status open to several countries now, smaller nations like Thailand & Nepal have taken large strides. With role models like Ellyse Perry & Sophie Devine (see below), more girls have taken up the sport seriously.
Finally, us fans can themselves can help in the resurgence of momentum. The entire game is about supply & demand. Men’s cricket & the IPL generates a lot of revenue. Hence, T20 cricket remains essential at possibly the expense of Test cricket. Similarly, women’s cricket is less profitable and hence, gets less support. So, we should demand more women’s cricket and encourage girls to take the sport up.
Fans need to get involved. Bloggers (including me) should write more on women’s cricket. You should tweet more on women’s cricket. Watch lots of videos, look up more stats, & make women’s cricket viral. Get the media involved. Slowly & steadily, women’s cricket administration will take notice & invest more.
Anyway, I will leave you all with a classy Sophie Devine, who recently scored the fastest T20 century in women’s cricket (36 balls), but her sportsmanship & humanity was the highlight.
Sophie Devine is all class 👏🥰
She appeared to strike a young fan in the crowd, as she brought up her record-breaking #SuperSmashNZ century with a maximum 🤕
Shortly afterwards, Devine went to see her, and gave her a few moments she'd NEVER forget 😁 pic.twitter.com/1qKzBHdv4m
Today’s Scenario: Mithali Raj Lifts the 2017 Cricket World Cup
In our segment Just Imagine, we explore how a specific moment in cricket could have lasting ripple effects. Going back in time, we ask a simple question: What Would Happened if…? and reflect on its consequences.
Since the Women T20 Challenge is in full flow among the teams—Trailblazers, Velocity, and the Supernovas, we imagine what would have happened if India had not collapsed against England in the 2017 Cricket World Cup Final?
Match:
England vs India, July 23rd 2017, Final, Lord’s, London, ICC Women’s World Cup
Background:
The 2017 Cricket World Cup was a watershed moment in several ways for women’s cricket. It was widely broadcasted and viewed, the matches were highly competitive, several remarkable individual performances were on show, and to cap it off—an intense final.
The hosts were favorite to win the trophy, while India captured the imagination of the world during the tournament.
In the group stages, India had won 5/7 games while brushing Australia aside in the semi-finals thanks to Harmanpreet Kaur’s magnificent 171*—maybe the best world cup innings by an Indian in a semi-final, certainly in the last decade. On the other hand, England squeaked past the Proteas with 2 balls to spare. Their only defeat in the tournament coming at the hand of India via Smriti Mandana’s elegant 90.
The final was a classic low-scoring thriller. Ebbs and flows throughout.
England scored 228/7. In response, Mandana and Raj fell cheaply before Punam Raut and Kaur stabilized and registered 50s.
Chasing 229, India are sitting comfortably at 191-3.
38 needed off 44 balls. Punam Raut 86* (114), Veda Krishnamurthy 28* (28). Then, next ball, there is an appeal for LBW…
What Actually Happened:
42. 5 Shrubsole to Raut OUT:
Punam has asked for a review but the umpire says sorry, you took too long.Do England have wink of an opportunity? This was the wrong shot. Length ball sliding in from wide of the crease, Punam plays all around the delivery. Looked to work it square when he could’ve played in down the ground. Hit on the knee roll. That would’ve gone on to hit the stumps. Has she done enough though?
If Punam Raut had straight batted the shot, or if the DRS review was called in time, and the decision (magically) overturned, what would have happened?
The Consequence:
Punam Raut hits an unbeaten century in the final. Veda seals the deal with an exquisite six.
Jhulam Goswami, the star with 3 wickets on the final, and captain Mithali Raj retire as World Cup winners. The 2017 squad return as legends. Their stories now etched in stone along with the 1983 and 2011.
The BCCI want to capitalize as usual.
They have a template—2007 T20 World Cup and the 2008 IPL. Upon the Indian men’s victory, the experiment of IPL turned into an unprecedented success, changing the global cricket game forever.
They have an opportunity again.
The Women’s IPL launches in 2018. All the world cup heroes are in their prime. Raj captains the Chennai Super Kings, Harmanpreet the marquee player for Kings XI Punjab, and Mandhana starring for the Mumbai Indians. With foreign players such as Heather Knight, Nat Sciver, and the world’s greatest Ellyse Perry, the WIPL is a financial and global success.
This T20 experience gained helps Indian women win the 2020 T20 World Cup defeating Australia in their background in front of a 86,174 crowd at the MCG.
Reflection – Inaction Trumps Imagination
Well, things did not turn out that way, did it?
Winning and losing is part and parcel of the game. Yes, one moment can change histories, but sometimes if action is taken in the right time, it could pay dividends as well.
India’s performance had already delighted audiences around the world and Goswami-Mithali-Harmanpreet-Mandana were household names.
Why then, has the WIPL not been put into action?
It did not need to be an 8 team tournament. A 5-6 team tournament would be wonderful as well. In 3 years, teams would have stabilized, rivalries and fanbase would have fostered, and ultimately, women’s cricket would have benefitted.
Instead, we are watching the 3rd T20 Women’s challenge as an afterthought of a 56 match exhausting Men’s IPL, just taking a break before the Playoffs. Meanwhile, most of the foreign players like Heather Knight, Alyssa Healy, and Ellyse Perry are employing their trade at the WBBL, and we are just waiting for the Hundredfor a competitive world T20 women’s league.
With the likes of Shefali Verma, Deepti Sharma, and Jemimah Rodrigues, India’s future is still bright, but by the time WIPL commences, India women’s stars would have already retired.
Jemimah Rodrigues times a cover drive to perfection
Inspired By Conversations with Vandit and ESPNCricinfo’s Alternative Universe Series.
Test match portrait (far left), Ellyse Perry bowling (center-left), playing soccer for Canberra United (center-right), and philanthropy work (far-right)
Ellyse Perry is an Australian cricketer and footballer, who also has a passion for writing and philanthropy on the side. Already being called one of the greatest all-rounders and players of all-time, Perry is just 29.
Her contribution to women’s cricket has already been immense.
The Memorable Debut
Ellyse Perry became the youngest Australian to play cricket at the age of 16 when she debuted against New Zealand, picking up 2-37 as well as 19 runs, batting at #9.
Only 15 days later, she would debut in her first international football match against Hong Kong, scoring a goal in the 2nd minute of the match.
2nd minute. Her primary playing position is supposed to be defender…Digest that for a minute.
It was her Player of the Match performance in the T20 debut a few months later, though, that caught the cricketing world’s attention. Quickfire 29* (25), including a huge six at the MCG, a 4-wicket haul, and even a run-out on follow through.
When the commentator asked, “Is there anything you tried that did not come off?—you had sixes, runs, wickets, back-flick runouts,” she responded by saying, “There were a couple of wides in there, so definitely some room for improvement there.”
The T20 debut was only a sign of things to come. Although she started as a fast-bowler who was a handy lower-order batter, her batting has risen through the years, most notably with the 213* in the 2017 Ashes.
Here is just a glimpse of her brilliant career so far:
Batting
Tests: 8 Matches, 624 runs, best of 213*, 78.00average, 100s-2/ 50s-2
ODIs: 112 Matches, 3022 runs, best of 112*, 52.00 average, 100s-2/ 50s-27
T20Is: 120 Matches, 1218 runs, best of 60*, average 28.32, 50s-4
Bowling
Tests: 8 Matches, 31 wickets, 18.19 average, Best Innings – 6/32,Best Match – 9/70
A World Cup is the greatest stage to perform in. It is the dream stage for any sportsperson. The Final of a World Cup is an even better platform. That is exactly where Ellyse Perry would shine.
2010 Women’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies, New Zealand versus Australia in the final. Australia were restricted to a meager 106/8. At the highest pressure, her bowling figures were 3-0-8-3. She was given the responsibility of defending the final over. 7 needed off 2, and she kept her nerve to seal Australia their maiden T20 World Cup in a thrilling encounter.
Another day, another Player of the Match performance by Ellyse Perry.
Achievements
The Moment of Glory – Part II, III, IV, V, and VI
Being part of one World Cup team is a memorable accomplishment. Playing an integral role in six World Cup winning campaigns is just superhuman.
Ellyse Perry has accomplished so much already that we had to create a separate section devoted just for her remarkable achievements. From representing Australia in international cricket to the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash, she has played a starring role everywhere.
Youngest Australian to play cricket – at the age of 16 (2008)
Only Australian to play both the FIFA and ICC World Cups
Only Australian to play over 100 T20I matches
Player of the Match in the Final – (2010 Women’s World T20)
2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020 – T20 World Cup winner, 2013 – ODI World Cup winner
Player of the Series – The Ashes (2014, 2015)
ICC Women Cricketer of the Year (2017)
3rd Bowler to 150 wickets in WODIs
Belinda Clark Award, Australia’s highest award for women cricketers (2016, 2018)
Player of the Tournament – Women’s Big Bash League (2018-19)
The Legacy
Speaking of Big Bash, against the Melbourne Renegades, she opened the batting, steadied a collapse and carried the bat with an unbeaten fifty, opened the bowling, impacted run-outs, took a catch, and sealed the match with a six in a Super Over.
Once again, what can Ellyse Perry not do?
She is a captain’s dream to have in the team. She is Australia’s opening bowler, death bowler, a fielder that can turn matches around, a batter who can at steadily and safeguard from collapse, or a finisher who can hit quick runs at the back-end of the innings.
Still in the prime of her career, Ellyse Perry has several years of cricket left in her. She has the potential to break records in all departments, but she has already created a legacy for herself. A renowned athlete and a star, she has also made a name for herself as a media personality by appearing on numerous radio shows, interviews, and book launches.
Four out of her five books are children’s books, Rocket Pocket, Magic Feet, Winning The Touch, and Double Time,in addition to her autobiography, Perspective. The children’s series is one of the ways she has been inspiring the next generation of young girls to take up sport and climb new heights.
In an interview with Jaymie Hooper at Body+Soul, she said,”I know how much sport has given me and I think if kids can turn on the TV and see other girls playing cricket and decide they want to do it, too, then I’ve served my purpose.”
What Can We Learn From Ellyse Perry?
She had to give up professional soccer in 2015, having last playing internationally in 2013. She ended up with 3 goals, including that World Cup goal against Sweden. Yet, just by pursuing two different sports and excelling at both of them consistently for half a decade itself sets a new benchmark for Australian sport and athletes around the world.
“There is actually she cannot do….She is probably one of the hardest workers I have ever seen” – Nicola Carey
“What makes her so good is she can bowl 10 overs, then go out and make a 100…[It takes] stamina, concentration, work ethic to be able to do that” – Nicole Bolton
“She is continuing to get better….Adding something new to her game….Always improving” – Meg Lanning
Ellyse Perry’s journey shows that by working hard, continuing improving different skill sets, always having a team first attitude, and by dreaming big—nothing is impossible.
What Does the Future Hold?
Ellyse Perry’s biggest influence might well be on the next generation of female athletes.
Following the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup, the popularity of the women’s game grew exponentially. The movement to grow women’s cricket culminated with the 2020 T20 World Cup Final in Australia, which was held during the International Women’s Day- March 8, 2020.
A record 86,174 people attended it. Watch this video to relive the importance of the day. The only bittersweet part of it – Ellyse Perry was injured a few games ago and could not make the final team. Nevertheless, she has been a major part in popularizing the game and has taken women’s cricket to new heights.
That was the last game of women’s cricket before the pandemic hit.
Fingers crossed that the game can recover from COVID-19. We can just hope that the Australia-New Zealand series, due to begin September 26, will go smoothly with players safety in place, cricket can resume back in Australia, and we can watch what Ellyse Perry achieves next.
