The upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup will showcase not only top cricketing talent but also the global nature of the sport. Among the players representing their countries are six remarkable women cricketers whose journeys span multiple nations. Scotland’s Abtaha Maqsood, England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt, Australia’s Alana King and Kim Garth, and South Africa’s Seshnie Naidu all share the distinction of being born in one country while representing another. These women exemplify the global nature of cricket and the unique paths that can lead to success in the international arena. This article highlights six such cricketers who have made their mark on the sport.
Abtaha Maqsood (Scotland)
Abtaha Maqsood, born on 11 June 1999, is a Scottish cricketer who currently plays for Middlesex, Sunrisers, Birmingham Phoenix, and Scotland as a right-arm leg-break bowler. The daughter of immigrants from Pakistan, Abtaha made her T20 International debut on July 7, 2018, against Uganda during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup qualifier in Amstelveen.
After a long wait of 5 years, she made her ODI debut on October 17, 2023, against Ireland during the bilateral series between Ireland and Scotland in Almeria. To date, she has played a total of 53 T20 International matches in which she has taken 54 wickets at an economy of 5.31, with her best bowling figures being 3 for 8. In ODIs, she has represented Scotland in 8 matches, taking a total of 19 wickets at an economy of 3.95, with her best bowling figures being 4/30.
Abtaha’s recent form has been very impressive and as a core member of the team would have the first name on the list of Scotland’s squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)
Natalie Ruth Sciver-Brunt, born on August 20, 1992, in Tokyo, Japan, is a versatile English cricketer who competes for England across all formats. Her international upbringing, influenced by her mother’s diplomatic career and her father’s business pursuits, exposed her to various sports including football in Poland and basketball in the Netherlands. Sciver-Brunt’s cricket career is marked by several notable achievements. She made history as the first English player to claim a hat-trick in a T20 International match. Her Test debut against Australia in 2014 was impressive, contributing significantly to England’s victory with a combined score of 72 runs across both innings.
In the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, Sciver-Brunt played a pivotal role in England’s championship win. As the team’s second-highest run-scorer with 369 runs, including two centuries, her all-round performance was crucial to England’s success.
Throughout her career, Sciver-Brunt has achieved numerous records. In 2018, she was honored as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year. Following her outstanding performance in the 2017 World Cup, she was also named the Professional Cricketers’ Association Women’s Player of the Year, solidifying her status as one of cricket’s elite players. Recently, the England cricket board announced their squad for the upcoming Women’s T20 World Cup, and Nat Sciver-Brunt was included, which means fans will be able to see this talented player perform in the upcoming mega event.
Alana King (Australia)
Alana King, a Melbourne-raised cricketer of Anglo-Indian descent, found her interest in cricket after exploring various sports, inspired by her brother. Her parents, originally from Chennai, India, had settled in Australia before her birth.
King’s international cricket career began in early 2022, marking a rapid ascent in the sport. Her T20 international debut came on January 20, 2022, against England in Adelaide, where she claimed her first wicket. Just a week later, on January 27, she made her Test debut, also against England, taking an impressive three wickets. Her ODI debut followed shortly after on February 3, 2022, completing her introduction to all three formats within a very short interval of time.
In this year’s Women’s T20 World Cup, Alana King became part of the Australian squad. This is the second time she has been included in the Australian World Cup squad.
Kim Garth (Australia)
Kimberley Jennifer Garth, born on April 25, 1996, is a versatile cricketer who has represented both Ireland and Australia. An all-rounder known for her right-arm medium bowling and right-handed batting, Garth currently plays for Victoria and Melbourne Stars in Australia.
Garth’s international career began with Ireland, her birth country. From 2010 to 2019, she played over 100 matches for the Irish national team before deciding to relocate to Australia.
Her One Day International journey started on July 4, 2010, when she debuted for Ireland against New Zealand in Kibworth, England. By 2024, Garth had scored more than 500 runs and claimed over 40 wickets in ODIs. Garth’s T20 International debut came on October 16, 2010, representing Ireland against Pakistan in Potchefstroom during the ICC Women’s Cricket Twenty20 Challenge. Her first T20I appearance was notable, with her taking two wickets. As of 2024, her T20I record includes over 760 runs and more than 45 wickets.
After moving to Australia, Garth achieved a significant milestone by making her Test debut for her new country. This occurred on June 22, 2023, against England in Nottingham. By 2024, she had contributed over 100 runs and taken more than five wickets in Test matches.
Olivia Bell (Scotland)
Olivia Niamh Bell, a promising Scottish cricketer born on November 12, 2003, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England, has quickly made her mark in international cricket. Specializing as a right-arm off-break bowler, Bell currently plays for NorthWest Thunder and represents Scotland at the international level.
Bell’s T20 international debut came on September 23, 2022, in a T20 match against Ireland. She made her One Day International debut, also against Ireland, on October 17, 2023. Her bowling skills have not gone unnoticed, leading to her selection for Scotland’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup squad. This early inclusion in a major tournament squad highlights Bell’s potential and the impact she’s expected to make in Scottish cricket.
Seshnie Naidu (South Africa)
Seshnie Naidu is an Anglo-Indian South African leg-spinner who has represented the South Africa Emerging Players women. She also represents the Dolphins side in the CSA Women’s Professional League Division 1. The young all-rounder has now been picked in the 15-player squad of South Africa for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024.
