Women’s cricket soon on 29 July will be marking its debut at the multi-sporting event, the Commonwealth Games. All sides in a couple of days will be finishing their buildups and heading to their villages in Birmingham, England. Like batters, bowlers too spark the show and below we’ll look at 5 bowlers to watch out for during the Games.
Renuka Singh Thakur
Indian pacer, Renuka Singh debuted late last year against Australia. Renuka in 5 innings has picked up 3 wickets at an economy rate of 6.40. She’s lately grown as India’s frontline pick who’s had excellent figures in white-ball games. Renuka Singh against Sri Lanka picked up 7 wickets in 3 ODI games and 2 in the 3-match T20I series. The confidence and maturity Renuka is now starting to show can be enough to see off her slow international start and what better stage then the Games.
Lea Tahuhu
White Ferns quick, Lea Tahuhu with her variations and pace is certainly one to watch out for. Lea Tahuhu in 60 innings averages 21.20 and has struck 53 wickets in 60 innings at an excellent economy of just under 6. Tahuhu has three 3-wicket hauls with the best figures of 3/17 that’d come against Pakistan in 2016. She’s a quality fast bowler who runs in hard, bowls quick and her experience is an x-factor for the side, surely a threat to see off.
Issy Wong
English quick, Issy Wong has just played one T20I game that saw her concede 19 runs and go wicketless. A start with an economy under 5 is just very promising and the reputation she’s built over the years playing the domestic and franchise tournaments has her be a part of the English attack. Issy Wong debuted for England in the ODI’s in July and with 4 wickets in a couple of outings has had a decent start. Wong is a complete bowler’s package with swing, variations and pace that tempted England to pick her on reputation over inexperience.
Alana King
Australian spinner, Alana King built a very strong image of herself playing in the domestic and franchise leagues. She was handed her T20I debut early this year and created an instant impact. Alana King in 6 innings has picked up 9 wickets at an average of 8.22. She’s got her best figures of 3/8 and economy of 4.57. Alana doesn’t fear giving flight and bowling full to the batters which has helped her succeed and also the pace and control with which she differs during overs is remarkable.
Ayabonga Khaka
South African quick, Ayabonga Khaka is well suited to this format. The experience that Khaka holds is a crucial part of her game, bowls in the death with confidence and also has got good game sense. Khaka has picked up 37 wickets in 39 innings at an average of 21.50 and at an economy rate of just over 6. Khaka has registered best figures of 4/23 that’d come early in her career, but she’s now peaked and might go very well during the Games.
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