Women’s ODI cricket has grown from strength to strength. In the last 5 years, the viewership, popularity, and skills of the women’s cricketers have leveled up a lot.
When we talk about most wickets in women’s ODI cricket, you will find familiar names in the list. What’s important to notice is that you pick up more wickets being taken in women’s cricket with every game that passes.
Jhulan Goswami (255 wickets)
The first name in the list of most ODI wickets in women’s cricket is Jhulan Goswami. She started her career in 2002, and played until 2022. Her 20-year-long career saw 204 ODI matches, and she picked up 255 wickets with the ball.
Goswami also bowled 10005 balls in ODI cricket. The fast bowler from India had an average of 22.04, along with an impressive economy rate of 3.37. Such stats are wonderful to talk about.
Shabnam Ismail (191 wickets)
Probably the fastest bowler in women’s cricket, Shabnam Ismail also walks into the list. She had a career that lasted for 15 years. Ismail is currently playing franchise cricket, and has retired from the international arena.
Ismail was part of the dominant South African team. She picked up 191 wickets with the best figures of 6 wickets for 10 runs. A terror for the opposition, Shabnam picked all of her ODI wickets from 127 matches.
Cathryn Fitzpatrick (180 wickets)
It is impossible to make any cricket list without the inclusion of Australian players. Cathryn Fitzpatrick terrorized batters for more than 15 years. She made her debut in 1993, and played till 2007.
In a total of 109 games, Fitzpatrick had 180 wickets with an average of 16.79. In an era where women’s cricket wasn’t much talked about, Fitzpatrick bowled some guns and picked 4 five-wicket hauls in ODI.
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Anisa Mohammed (180 wickets)
The first spinner on the list, Anisa Mohammed, is a superstar from the West Indies. Being a finger spinner, Anisa was very successful in picking wickets. Interestingly, Anisa played for the West Indies team at the age of 15.
She had 180 ODI wickets from 141 matches, with an astounding economy rate of 3.58. Fair to say that Anisa brought control in the middle overs with the ball in hand. She also had 6 five-wicket hauls in ODI.
Katherine Sciver Brunt (170 wickets)
An England superstar, Katherine Brunt also makes the list of most wickets in women’s ODI. A gun-fast bowler for Pomms, Katherine played for 17 years without much media attention.
She had a brilliant career with 170 wickets, at an average of 24.00. Brunt mainly bowled at the start and the death overs, which made her job tougher. Still, Katherine maintained an economy rate of 3.57. Such control and effectiveness, even at a high pace.
Ellyse Perry (166 wickets)
When we talk about all-rounders in cricket, Ellyse Perry’s name will always be higher. Mainly for the effectiveness of both the bat and ball, Ellyse is a pure superstar. Perry has entered her 18th year as a cricketer and is going strong.
Perry is good with both bat and ball. She bowls at the start, and also at the death overs. Ellyse has played 155 ODI matches, and picked up 166 wickets with 3 occasions of five-wicket haul. A true all-rounder of the women’s game.
Marizanne Kapp (164 wickets)
Talking about all-rounders and most wicket-takers in women’s ODI cricket, Marizanne Kapp walks into the list. A brilliant all-rounder from South Africa, Marizanne has played 149 ODI matches
Until 2024, she had 164 wickets to her name. On occasions, Marizanne did consider retirement, but continued to stay on. An economy rate of 3.81 with the best of 5 wickets for 45 runs, shows the talent of the cricketer.
Stafanie Taylor (155 wickets)
A West Indies legend, Stafanie Taylor also walks into the list of most wickets in women’s ODI cricket. She started her career in 2008, and it has been 16 years she has been doing the same.
Taylor is one of the leading West Indies players who has picked up 155 wickets with an average of 22.22. Being an off-spinner, she has played 160 games and maintained an economy rate of 3.56.
Sana Mir (151 wickets)
Off-spinners seem to be dominating the list of most wickets in women’s ODI cricket. A Pakistani off-spinner with the ability to spin the ball and pick wickets, Sana Mir served Pakistan for 14 years.
During her tenure, she was also the skipper of Pakistan, but couldn’t do much. Mir has played 120 games, picking up 151 wickets with the ball in hand. She also maintained an economy rate of 3.70, which is mighty impressive.
Lisa Sthalekar (146 wickets)
A cricketer turned commentator, Lisa Sthalekar was the main spinner for Australia during the early 2000s. Coming from India, Lisa made a name for herself and debuted in 2001. She played for 12 years, and won world cups.
In total, Lisa had 146 wickets to her name from 125 matches played. She also had one five-wicket haul, with the best figure of 5 wickets, for 35 runs. At a time when Aussies didn’t have quality spinners, she made her mark.
Neetu David (141 wickets)
One of the earliest Indian spinners who took Indian cricket to new heights is Neetu David. Her name in the list of most wickets in women’s ODI, isn’t a surprise at all. Coming from the Railways, David has performed outstandingly well.
She played 97 matches in her ODI career, which spanned 13 years, starting in 1995. In all of those matches, the left-arm spinner took 141 wickets, with an average of 16.34. Being a finger spinner, with an average below 17, is wonderful.
Jess Jonassen (141 wickets)
Another left-arm spinner, Jess Jonassen also makes it into the list. She burst into the scene after bowling for the World Cup winner team-Australia, in 2012. Jonassen since then has become one of the important members of the Australian cricket team.
Playing in 93 ODI matches from 2012, she has picked up 141 wickets, with the best figures of 5 wickets for 27 runs. The best part of Jess is the economy rate of 3.98, which provides brilliant control for the captain.
Dane Van Niekerk (138 wickets)
An underrated superstar from the South African cricket team, Dane Van Niekerk also walks into the list of most wicket-takers in women’s ODI. She started playing for the Proteas in 2009, and played for 12 more years.
A superstar, who could bowl and bat a bit, Dane played 107 games with an average of 19.14. She also had 138 wickets to show in her tally. Playing in difficult South African conditions, she picked wickets with an average of 19.14.
Jenny Gunn (136 wickets)
An awkward action that could deceive the opposition, Jenny Gunn was effective with her slower balls which could deceive the batsman for fun. She picked up wickets one after the other, in a career of 15 years.
A world cup winner, Gunn was able to feature in 144 ODI games, picking up 136 wickets. Bowling at the start and the end, Gunn maintained an economy rate of 3.88 with 2 five-wicket hauls. Such a talent.
Megan Schutt (135 wickets)
A true competitor even with her limitations, Megan Schutt is one of the prime reasons for Australians winning so many global titles. An opening bowler, who would even close out innings, Schutt is a crucial member of the Australian women’s side.
She has played 99 matches in a 13-year-long career. 135 wickets with an economy rate of 4.19 suggests she knows her game. She is good with her slower balls, yorkers and big match wicket taking abilities.
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