As The Women’s Hundred approaches its sixth edition (21 July–16 August 2026), the competition’s narrative is shaped as much by bowlers as by batters. Since the inaugural 2021 campaign, a small group of incisive pacers and crafty spinners have consistently turned matches with breakthroughs at crucial moments.
Ahead of the new season, one that brings franchise ownership changes (MI London rebranded as Oval Invincibles, Sunrisers Leeds rebranded as Northern Superchargers, Manchester Super Giants rebranded as Manchester Originals, while Southern Brave retain their name despite partial Delhi Capitals involvement. In this article, we’ll reflect on the top five leading wicket-takers in the tournament’s history, whose performances have left an indelible mark on the Hundred.
Lauren Bell (Southern Brave): 60 Wickets [41 Innings]:
She stands atop the tournament wicket charts through consistency and pace. A Southern Brave mainstay since 2021, Bell has collected 60 wickets at an average of 14.91 and an economy of 6.81 across 41 innings, including three four-wicket hauls. Her signature recent performance came in the previous edition on 28 August 2025 at the Rose Bowl, where she returned figures of 20-15-6-4 to earn Player of the Match as Southern Brave beat Welsh Fire by 29 runs.
Bell’s 2025 season was also her most prolific: she finished as that edition’s top wicket-taker with 19 scalps at an outstanding average of 8.47 and an economy of 5.39 in nine innings. She remains the benchmark for control and strike-ability in the tournament as she heads into the sixth edition.
AJ Wellington (Manchester Super Giants/MI London/Southern Brave): 52 wickets [40 Innings]:
The 29-year-old Australian leg-spinner has been the most potent overseas wicket-taker in the Hundred, amassing 52 wickets at 16.53 and an economy of 7.06 in 40 innings, with two four-wicket hauls to her name. Wellington’s journey through franchises, starting with Southern Brave (2021–22), moving to Manchester Originals (now Manchester Super Giants) in 2023, then to Oval Invincibles (now MI London), showcases a player who adapts and flourishes in different conditions.
Her standout early display was a 20-11-12-4 spell for Southern Brave on 16 August 2021 at the Rose Bowl. Wellington’s best overall campaign came in 2022 when she led the tournament with 17 wickets at 11.82. Notably, she will miss the upcoming sixth edition, leaving a gap in the competition’s spin arsenal.
Kate Cross (Manchester Super Giants/Sunrisers Leeds) 50 wickets [40 Innings]:
Experience and reliability define Kate Cross’s contribution to the Hundred. The England pacer has accumulated 50 wickets at an average of 18.36 and an economy rate of 7.22 in 40 innings, including a four-wicket haul. After opening her Hundred career with Manchester Originals, Cross moved to the rebranded Sunrisers Leeds (formerly Northern Superchargers) in 2023.
One of her best matches came on 4 August 2024 at Headingley, returning 16-10-20-4 to help her side to a 46-run victory. In 2025 she collected 15 wickets at 14.06 and an economy of 6.49 in ten matches, a reminder that her seam craft remains a decisive element for Leeds heading into 2026.
Marizanne Kapp (MI London) 46 wickets [33 innings]:
Marizanne Kapp’s all-round stature has been central to the Invincibles (now MI London) early dominance. Since 2021, she has taken 46 wickets at an average of 13.47 and an economy of 6.16 in 33 innings, registering three four-wicket hauls. Her defining moment came in the inaugural final at Lord’s on 21 August 2021, where she produced 18-13-9-4 to help her side to a 48-run title-clinching win and earned Player of the Match.
Marizanne Kapp has been remarkably consistent with the ball, providing crucial breakthroughs and breaking the game open for her side in the powerplay. She took 11 wickets in 2021, 2023 and 2024 each, underlining her value as a match-winner and veteran leader for MI London over the years. As the tournament heads into a new chapter, the South African veteran will move the franchise for the first time, donning the London Spirit colours in the upcoming 6th edition.
Emily Arlott (Birmingham Phoenix) 45 wickets, [35 Innings]:
Emerging as a reliable strike option since 2021, Emily Arlott has become Birmingham Phoenix’s (now representing Welsh Fire in 2026) leading wicket-taker in the Hundred. Her 45 wickets come at an average of 15.97 and an economy of 7.48 in 35 innings.
Arlott’s most productive spell arrived in the previous edition, where she finished as one of Phoenix’s top wicket-takers with 12 wickets at 13.83 in seven innings, sharing the team honours with Megan Schutt, highlighting her growing influence as a bowling all-rounder. As Welsh Fire prepare for the new edition, Arlott’s knack for timely breakthroughs and crucial lower-order runs will be a vital asset.
These five bowlers have defined pivotal moments across five seasons of The Women’s Hundred, mixing raw pace, astute seamcraft and effective spin, and they will remain key storylines as the tournament re-enters a reshaped franchise landscape in 2026.
I am Yash Tailor, and I believe work should be driven by passion. Therefore, after completing my Engineering, I chose to work in the Cricket industry, my passion. My goal is to reach a stage where I truly enjoy what I do and give my best to every task with energy and purpose.