Although it is not as popular as football or basketball, cricket has its special place in the hearts of many. It’s mostly popular among nations of the British Commonwealth, and it is played and enjoyed by people of all ages and genders.
The world of sports on the global level is not the kindest towards women, even today in the 21st century. It’s the same situation with cricket, but there’s hope – in recent years, female cricket players have gained recognition and respect for their sports skills and achievements. With the Women’s World Cup and other international tournaments, cricket has grown in popularity and has provided opportunities for women to showcase their talent.
It is human nature to play, and this includes a wide variety of games, from sports to board games. Whether this means you watch or play football, basketball, or handball, or you choose to play casino games or chess, people will always enjoy the thrill and satisfaction a good game with good players brings. This is why in this article we will talk about a fun and interesting topic: the world’s five best female cricket players.
Mithali Raj from India
Mithali Raj is famous for being the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, and she’s widely regarded as one of the best batters in the world.
Raj is the highest run-scorer in women’s international cricket, with over whooping 10,000 runs in ODI cricket. She has played a very important role in India’s success in international cricket and has led the team to not one but two World Cup finals.
She is praised for her ability to read the game and play according to the situation which has earned her numerous prizes and awards, the grandest of them being the Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World in 2017. Raj has also been recognized for a batting average of 51.80 in ODI cricket, which makes her one of the most consistent batters in the world.
Stafanie Taylor from West Indies
Another famous cricket player, Stafanie Taylor is a top-order batter and off-spinner for the West Indies women’s cricket team. She is considered to be one of the best all-rounders in the world and has been ranked as the number one all-rounder in the ICC Women’s rankings as well.
Among some very interesting facts about Taylor is the fact that she has played a pivotal role in West Indies’ success in international cricket, and was the captain of the team that won the 2016 Women’s World T20. Her batting style has been called aggressive, but with her consistent wicket-taking ability she is more than a formidable opponent on the field.
Stafanie Taylor has also been recognized for her contributions off the field and was named the ICC Women’s T20I Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012 consecutively.
Ellyse Perry from Australia
As you can see, all of these players belong to the Commonwealth as we already said. It is not a surprise, considering the history of both male and female cricket. Ellyse Perry from Australia is not only one of the most talented female cricketers in the world but also one of the most versatile athletes altogether. Believe it or not, she has represented Australia in both cricket and football and has achieved success in both sports.
When it comes to cricket, Perry is known for her impressive all-around skills and has also been ranked as the number one all-rounder in the ICC Women’s rankings. Her batting and bowling performances have been instrumental in Australia’s success in international cricket, and she has been a key player in the team’s four World Cup victories.
Perry was also named the inaugural winner of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2017.
Meg Lanning from Australia
Another prominent female cricket player from Down Under, Meg Lanning is a prolific batter and the current captain of the Australian women’s cricket team.
She is said to be one of the best batters in the world and is at the very top of the ICC Women’s rankings. Lanning has been a key player who helped Australia score many wins in international cricket and has been a key player in the team’s four World Cup victories, together with Ellyse Perry.
Her collection of awards is also more than impressive and includes the famous Belinda Clark Award for the Australian Women’s Cricketer of the Year, which she has won a total of four times. Lanning is also a successful leader and has been credited with creating a positive team culture and encouraging her teammates to play with confidence. A true team player.
Suzie Bates from New Zealand
Last but not least, Suzie Bates is a top-order batter and occasional bowler for the New Zealand women’s cricket national team. Bates is one of the most famous New Zealand players who has had a crucial role in winning international tournaments for her country, including two wins in the World Cup.
What makes her such a valuable asset to the team is her ability to score runs at a consistent pace and rotate the strike. Bates was also named the ICC Women’s ODI Player of the Year in 2013 and 2015.
As you can see, female sports deserve just as much recognition as their male counterparts. With such great cricket players who are making their countries and their teams proud, we can only hope that female cricket as well as other sports begin to reach the same level of popularity and media presence as male sports, as they most definitely deserve it.
Loves all things female cricket