There are over 1.5 million women playing cricket around the world, according to data shared by the International Cricket Council (ICC). Viewership of female competitions, including major international events like the Women’s Cricket Worldcup, is also on the rise, evidencing the growing popularity of this branch of the discipline.
So, what is the current status of women’s cricket in the global stage? And what are the main representatives of the sport in the twenty-first century?
On The Rise of Women’s Cricket At The Global Stage
Across the world, viewership of women’s cricket as well as their participation in the sport is increasing. In India, the landscape of women’s cricket has undergone a significant transformation. The second season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in February 2024 drew an astounding 103 million viewers.
This new league, which mirrors the highly successful men’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in attracting global cricketing talent, saw strong attendance at matches, culminating in nearly 30,000 spectators at the Delhi final. This level of engagement marks a stark contrast to a mere decade prior, when women’s games typically attracted only a small audience.
In conversation with the ESTD, Indian cricketer Rajeshwari Gayakwad opened about the growing interest in the sport, particularly after her team reached the finals during the 2017 World Cup. “No one knew of us until then. After that final, I came to India and saw the Karnataka state trials—there were more than 250 girls [playing]. So, I’ve seen parents change their mindset and today they push their daughters to play sports,” said the left-arm bowler.
In Australia, almost 93,000 women and girls participated in 2023/24, a significant increase from the previous year. In the UK, 28% of women surveyed in Q1 2024 expressed liking for the sport, compared to 36% of men. While female participation is growing, it’s still a smaller percentage of the total cricket playing population than men in some countries.
The sport has gained traction on betting platforms, where fans typically encounter slots RTP, table games, bingo and, of course, sport betting. There, cricket enthusiasts follow events like Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League, and ICC Cricket World Cup among others.
The Best Female Cricket Players from the 21st Century
Throughout the history of the sport, numerous women have left their mark on cricket, becoming living legends. In the 21st century, many talented cricket players have given their best at local and international stages, inspiring fans and attracting bettors to support them through sites like Sportbet.io, official partner of the well-known Bitcasino.io. According to a recent ranking by ESPNcircinfo, the top female cricketers are the following.
1. Ellyse Perry
Ellyse Perry is often identified as the top cricket player today. The accomplished Australian cricketer and former soccer player is well-known for her dual international representation and significant achievements across both sports. At 16, she became the youngest Australian to debut in international cricket and is the only person to have featured in both ICC Cricket World Cups and FIFA World Cups.
In her cricket career, Perry has set numerous benchmarks as a genuine all-rounder. She is the first player to achieve a combined 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals. Notably, she holds the record for the highest score by an Australian woman in Test matches with 213 not out. Her contributions have been instrumental in Australia’s success, including eight World Championship victories in cricket.
Individually, Perry has earned multiple accolades such as the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year and the Belinda Clark Award, recognizing her consistent excellence. She was also named among the Wisden Five Cricketers of the Decade (2010–19).
2. Meg Lanning
Another highly talented figure in the world of women’s cricket is none other than Meg Lanning. Also from Australia, Lanning rose to international fame thanks to her impressive collection of team and individual accolades as well as her exceptional leadership and batting prowess.
She became the youngest Australian to score an international century at 18. Furthermore, she was the first Australian woman to surpass 2,000 runs in Twenty20 Internationals, a format where she twice set new records for the highest individual score. Meg Lanning and her impactful performances often place her among the top run-scorers in major tournaments, such as the 2014 World Twenty20.
A record-breaking captain, Lanning has led Australia to seven world championship titles, including two Women’s Cricket World Cups and five ICC Women’s World Twenty20 trophies. Under her captaincy, Australia achieved a world record of 22 consecutive One Day International victories. Individually, Lanning holds the record for the most centuries in Women’s One Day Internationals.
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3. Nat Sciver-Brunt
Nat Sciver-Brunt, an influential all-rounder for England, has built a distinguished career marked by significant achievements and consistent performances. A key member of the England team, she was central to their 2017 Women’s Cricket World Cup victory, a triumph that earned her recognition as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year.
Sciver-Brunt holds the unique distinction of being the first English cricketer to claim a hat-trick in a Women’s Twenty20 International. Her innovative “Natmeg” shot even led to a cricket stroke being named after her. She has captained England on several occasions and has been a recipient of an ECB central contract since its inception.
Throughout her career, the English cricketer collected record-breaking stands for the third and fourth wickets in Women’s Cricket World Cup history. Sciver-Brunt also became the first player to score over 500 runs in a single season of the Women’s Premier League.
4. Jhulan Goswami
Born in West Bengal, India, Jhulan Goswami is widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest bowlers. Her career, spanning two decades for the India women’s national team from 2002 to 2022, is replete with groundbreaking achievements.
Notably, Goswami holds the record for the most wickets in Women’s One Day International (ODI) cricket, with 255 dismissals in 204 matches. She was also the first woman cricketer to reach 200 ODI wickets and subsequently became the highest wicket-taker in the history of the Women’s Cricket World Cup. Beyond ODIs, her overall international wicket tally stands at an impressive 311 across formats.
She was awarded the prestigious ICC Women’s Player of the Year award in 2007 and the Padma Shri in 2012, one of India’s highest civilian honors. Goswami’s leadership was also significant, as she captained India in 25 ODIs and played a crucial role in guiding the team to their first Test series win in England in 2006–07. Her legacy continues as she transitioned into coaching roles post-retirement.
5. Alyssa Healy
Last but not least, Alyssa Healy is a dynamic Australian cricketer renowned for her explosive batting as a wicket-keeper. Her career is marked by numerous individual and team successes, establishing her as a vital player in the Australian lineup.
A standout performer, Healy was instrumental in Australia’s T20 World Cup victories, notably earning the Player of the Tournament award in the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20. Her powerful hitting was vividly displayed in the 2020 T20 World Cup final, where her quickfire 75 off 39 balls against India secured the Player of the Match title.
She has also set individual records, including the highest score in a Women’s T20I match with 148 not out. Beyond her batting, Healy has excelled behind the stumps, surpassing MS Dhoni’s record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in Twenty20 International cricket (male or female).
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