New Delhi: The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is all set to get underway on Thursday, October 03 with Bangladesh taking on Scotland in the tournament opener at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in Sharjah. The tournament was scheduled to be held in Bangladesh. However, it was shifted to the UAE after political turmoil in the country.
The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is set to feature ten teams. The ten teams have been divided into groups of five each and will be battling it out for the elusive trophy. Defending champions Australia will once again start as favourites and will be gunning for their fourth straight triumph in the tournament. However, they are expected to face a stiff challenge from the likes of India and England.
Harmanpreet Kaur-led India are in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka while Group B consists of England, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh and Scotland. India warmed up in style for the showpiece event with back-to-back wins against West Indies and South Africa in the warm-up matches and will look to continue their fine form in the tournament.
Here is a look at the top 5 highest wicket-takers in the Women’s T20 World Cup:
1) Shabnim Ismail
South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail is the leading wicket-taker of all time in the Women’s T20 World Cup with 43 wickets to her name in just 32 matches at an excellent average of 15.25 and an economy rate of 5.83. Regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket, the right-arm pacer has played all T20 World Cups since the inception of the tournament in 2009.
Ismail has been delivering consistently for the Proteas Women in the shortest format. However, she will not be part of the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 as she has not been selected in South Africa’s squad for the showpiece event.
2) Anya Shrubsole
Former England pacer Anya Shrubsole is second on the list of highest wicket-takers of all time in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Shrubsole, who retired from international cricket in 2022, picked up 41 wickets in 27 matches for England in the tournament. Shrubshole’s 41 scalps came at an average of 12.48 and a brilliant economy of 5.32.
3) Megan Schutt
Australia pacer Megan Schutt is in the third spot on the list having picked up 40 wickets in 24 matches in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Schutt, who has been a regular for Australia in T20Is, made her Women’s T20 World Cup debut in 2016 and has played a key role in her team’s three consecutive title victories in the last three editions of the tournament. She has a chance to topple Ismail and become the leading wicket-taker of all time in the tournament this year.
4) Ellyse Perry
Another Aussie on the list. Regarded as one of the best all-rounders of all time in the women’s game, Perry has been a consistent performer for Australia in T20Is over the years. She is the 4th highest wicket-taker in the Women’s T20 World Cup with 40 wickets in 42 matches at an economy rate of 5.79. Perry too has a chance to finish the 2024 edition as the highest wicket-taker of all time in the tournament.
5) Stafanie Taylor
West Indies all-rounder Stafanie Taylor is in the 5th spot on the elite list having scalped 33 wickets in 31 matches in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Taylor also has 926 runs to her name in the tournament, underlying her importance in the West Indies squad. She will be hoping to enjoy another memorable tournament in UAE this year and hep West Indies claim their second title.
The Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 is all set to get underway on Thursday, October 03. Ahead of the tournament, here is a look at the highest wicket-takers of all time in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
