Sophie Ecclestone has solidified her place as England’s leading wicket-taker in Women’s Twenty20 Internationals (WT20Is). Topping the previous record holder Katherine Sciver-Brunt, Ecclestone’s talent and skill have been crucial in driving England’s success in the shortest format of the game.
This list explores the top 5 wicket-takers for England across WT20Is, highlighting the legendary bowlers who have paved the way for Ecclestone’s achievement.
Sophie Ecclestone, a young talent maturing in the England women’s cricket team, has secured the significant title of their leading wicket-taker in Twenty20 Internationals. This remarkable feat, achieved at the tender age of 24, emphasizes her exceptional ability and rapid scaling within the sport. Despite her youth, she exhibits a maturity in her bowling that correlates with her experience, consistently outsmarting batters with her variations and control. Her growing T20I career is already decorated with milestones. Notably, she became the youngest player to reach the 50-wicket mark (achieved in just 34 matches) and has been long-standing at the top of the ICC Women’s T20I bowler rankings.
Katherine Brunt, a legend of English cricket, recently retired after a stellar international career. Feared for her aggressive pace and swing bowling, she led England’s attack for years. A World Cup champion in both 2009 and 2017, Brunt’s record-breaking haul of 114 wickets in just 112 T20 Internationals cemented her place as one of the format’s all-time greats.
Anya Shrubsole, a retired English pacer, was a dominant force who went on to carve her name in history. Her right-arm medium pace consistently confused batters, resulting in a staggering 102 wickets in just 79 T20 Internationals. This impressive tally speaks volumes about her wicket-taking ability in the shortest format. While her career was sprinkled with many highlights, her most iconic moment came in the 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup final. Her spell-binding bowling clinched a dramatic victory for England, solidifying her place as a national hero.+3
Danielle Hazell dominated the sport from 2009 to 2018. Not only did she excel as a right-handed batter, but her skills as an off-break bowler, known for their accuracy and ability to deceive batters, were truly impressive. Having put on the England jersey across all formats—Test matches, One Day Internationals, and the fast-paced Twenty20 Internationals—Hazell left her mark on the cricketing world. She took 85 wickets in 85 T20I matches.
Nat Sciver-Brunt has become a force to be reckoned with in T20 cricket. While she excels across formats, her impact in the fast-paced world of T20 is undeniable. She etched her name in history as the first English player to take a T20I hat-trick, a feat that showcased her exceptional bowling skills. Her impressive record boasts 85 wickets in just 117 T20 Internationals.