Discover the top five bowlers in ICC Women's T20 World Cup history, featuring legends like Shabnim Ismail and Ellyse Perry with game-changing spells.
The ICC Women's T20 World Cup became a platform of spectacular cricketing moments from its inception in 2009 where some of the finest bowlers around the world came into focus and produced match-defining spells that could change the eventual outcome of games.
It has always been a big challenge to hold onto the match against the might of the batters in T20, but these bowlers have sealed their names in history with game-changing performances.
Ahead of the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup, have a look at five of the most successful bowlers with the most wickets in history and the many ways they have outsmarted the world's top batters with such talent, giving them moments that will be remembered for the rest of time.
While the ICC Women's T20 World Cup may appear as a paradise to the batters, these bowlers have ensured there are wickets and not just runs that win matches. Traits of victory for these bowlers have been adaptability to conditions, outsmarting batters, and holding their nerves together. In 2024, we all eagerly look forward to seeing which among the contestants of the next generation beat or equal the records set by these legends.
5. Stafanie Taylor (West Indies) – 33 Wickets
Innately, Stafanie Taylor is an all-rounder every cricket fan has heard of. In terms of woman cricketers, this Jamaican is the sole name in this list. She played 31 matches and took 33 wickets at an admirable average of 15.51. She is renowned for her unwavering accuracy and intelligent variations, Taylor has been key in many of West Indies’ hair-raising finishes during T20 World Cups.
The best performance came during her captaincy in the 2016 tournament, leading West Indies to its first-ever title in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Without a doubt, Taylors’s batting and bowling abilities have given extra solidity to her team when matches have been on balance.
4. Ellyse Perry (Australia) – 40 Wickets
One of the all-time female cricketers is Ellyse Perry of Australia. Above all, takes the pressure and preforms. That is why she is an asset to any team that she ever plays for. Perry has played 42 matches in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup to scalp 40 wickets averging 17.67 with the best bowling appending 3/12.
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| Picture Credit - ICC |
With her performance with the ball over the period, Perry has been the reason as to why Australia has enjoyed so much success in the Women’s T20 World Cup tournaments over the seasons winning several titles. Even with sections of her playing career shortened by injury, her durability, and ability to take important wickets means there is no way she could have missed being among the top wicket-takers of the tournament over the years playing in it.
3. Megan Schutt (Australia) – 40 Wickets
There is no doubt that the veteran Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt has made her mark as one of the most menacing players even in the women’s game. With 40 Wickets in a little over 27 matches at an impressive average of 12.27, Schutt’s early swing and immaculate death-bowling have made her a dependable asset for Australia in limited overs.
Strategic by nature, there have been moments particularly when the stakes were quite high when Schutt’s performance had been the most defining of the lot. With two four-wicket hauls so far in her career, she is still one of the main arms of Australia’s strong bowling unit.
2. Anya Shrubsole (England) – 41 Wickets
Anya Shrubsole, also known as England's swing bowler, is famous for her picture perfect and deadly swing bowling. Anya Shrubsole has taken 41 wickets in 27 matches in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup and averages a phenomenal 12.48. Her batting and balling brought in the top order in England drawing around the opposition and making her a difference for the team.
This was especially true during the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup when England relied heavily on their bowling, with Anya Shrubsole claiming to have put on quite the show to ensure that they made it to the finals. Of all her remarkable performances during the tournament, her figures of 3/6 are perhaps the most memorable.
1. Shabnim Ismail (South Africa) – 43 wickets
The bowler who sits Perched atop the legions is the pace legend of South Africa, Shabnim Ismail. Ismail registered her name in the books of the history of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup by taking the most wickets (43 in 32 matches) ever. Her quick pace comes with the fearsome aspect of swing which has been the bane of many batters worldwide. An average of 15.25 and the best figures of 3/5 in the tournament show how has been a dominant force in the event.
Her outrageous streaks of bowing have often turned the matches in favor of South Africa as she is always on the lookout to break down vital partnerships and put the opponents under pressure. Such input has made Ismail one of the best cricketers ever in the history of Women’s cricket in South Africa.
