The history of women’s cricket, which spans over decades, has been witness to numerous legendary female bowlers, including Sophie Ecclestone, Australia’s Alana King, and South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp and many others who have annihilated the top batting lineups of the greatest cricket teams in the world with their unmatched exploits and lethal bowling attacks.
While the One Day Internationals (ODIs) have been majorly about the batters, the bowlers have also garnered enormous attention from the millions of cricket aficionados from every nook and corner of the world. Have you ever wondered about the top four female bowlers who have dominated the arena of ODI and have successfully registered the best bowling figures in the format as of March 2026? Well, let’s find out.
In this article we will take a look at the top four female bowlers who have posted the best bowling figures in the ODI format as of March 2026.
Women’s ODI: Top 4 Female Bowlers With Best Bowling Figures
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Shelley Nitschke, Australia – 7.4-1-24-7
The trailblazing Australian former international cricketer Shelley Nitschke is at the first spot on our list of the top four female bowlers with the best bowling figures in the ODI format. Widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers of all-time, Shelley Nitschke has undoubtedly established herself as one of the most crucial bowling all-rounders for the Aussies.
Throughout her glorious career, Shelley Nitschke played a record total of 80 ODI matches and picked up a sensational total of 98 wickets at an economy rate of 3.58 and an average of 22.1. Shelley Nitschke left the fans absolutely stunned after she took the English side off guard during the second Women’s ODI of the five-match series in 2005. With the best bowling figures of 7.4-1.24-7, Shelley Nitschke undoubtedly reigned supreme against the opponent players and established herself as one of the most lethal bowlers of the format.
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Ellyse Perry, Australia – 10-4-22-7
At the second spot on our list of the top four female bowlers who have posted the best bowling figures in the ODI format as of March 2026, we have the iconic Australian international cricketer and former professional soccer player Ellyse Perry, who is often hailed as one of the most influential all-rounders in the history of international cricket.
Throughout her glorious and star-studded cricketing career so far, Ellyse Perry has played a record total of 167 ODI matches and has picked up a commanding total of 166 wickets at an economy rate of 4.38, speaking volumes about his dominance in the game. During the third Women’s ODI of the Ashes 2019, Ellyse Perry left the English side absolutely stunned and annihilated their batting lineup with the best bowling figures of 10-4-22-7, which continues to be the second best in the history of women’s ODI as of March 2026.
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Alana King, Australia – 7-2-18-7
Next, at the third spot on our list of the top four female bowlers with the best bowling figures in the ODI format, we have another trailblazing Australian international cricketer, Alana King, who is often hailed as one of the most influential bowling all-rounders in the history of the game. Throughout her glorious career, Alana King played a record total of 52 ODI matches and picked up a sensational total of 80 wickets at an economy rate of 4.35 and a blistering strike rate of 19.8, establishing herself as one of the most lethal bowlers of the women’s ODI format.
During the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 league stage match against South Africa, Women turned out to be one of the most reliable bowlers for the Aussies and destroyed South Africa’s batting lineup single-handedly with the best bowling figures of 7-2-18-7.
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Anisa Mohammed, West Indies – 8.3-1-14-7
Finally, at the fourth spot on our list of the top four female bowlers who have posted the best bowling figures in the ODI format as of March 2026, we have the legendary Caribbean off-spinner Anisa Mohammed, who is widely hailed as one of the most iconic bowlers to ever represent the West Indies on an international level. Throughout her star-studded career, Anisa Mohammed played a record total of 141 ODI matches and picked up a sensational total of 180 wickets at an economy rate of 3.58 and an average of 20.8.
The legendary bowler from West Indies, Anisa Mohammed, also displayed her fearless bowling style against Pakistan during the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier 2011 Final fixture between West Indies Women and Pakistan Women. Anisa Mohammed played a crucial role in sweeping out the entire battling lineup of Pakistan national team for just 120 runs in 37.3 overs. As of March 2026, Anisa Mohammed’s bowling figures of 8.3-1-14-7 continue to be the fourth-best bowling figure in the history of women’s ODI.
