Women’s cricket has witnessed an extraordinary evolution over the past few decades, transforming from a recreational sport into a highly competitive global phenomenon. Legends like Mithali Raj, Ellyse Perry, Meg Lanning, and Jhulan Goswami have not only broken records but also inspired millions and changed the face of the game. Today’s stars continue to shatter stereotypes, elevate standards, and attract new fans worldwide. But who truly deserves a place among the best women cricketers in the world?
In this comprehensive guide, we rank the top women cricketers of all time, celebrating legendary pioneers such as Belinda Clark and Charlotte Edwards alongside modern icons like Smriti Mandhana, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Beth Mooney, who continue to redefine excellence in women’s cricket.
The All-Time Greats: Legends Who Transformed Women’s Cricket
Ellyse Perry (Australia)
Widely recognised by platforms like ESPNcricinfo as the greatest female cricketer of the 21st century, Ellyse Perry stands in a league of her own. This Australian superstar has achieved what few cricketers, male or female, have ever accomplished: genuine excellence in both batting and bowling at the highest level.
Perry’s statistics speak volumes about her dominance. Across all formats, she has scored over 8,000 international runs and taken more than 330 wickets. In Test cricket, she boasts an exceptional average of 59.17 with the bat and 21.82 with the ball. Her ODI record includes 4,581 runs at 48.22 and 166 wickets at 25.56. Her best bowling figures of 7/22 in ODIs and 6/32 in Tests showcase her match-winning capabilities.
Perry made history as the youngest Australian to play international cricket at just 16 years old. She has been instrumental in Australia’s six T20 World Cup victories and their ODI World Cup triumphs. Her highest Test score of 213 not out demonstrates her ability to play marathon innings.
Mithali Raj (India)
No discussion about the best women cricketers is complete without mentioning Mithali Raj. This legendary Indian batter redefined what was possible in women’s cricket through sheer determination and technical brilliance.
Mithali’s career numbers are staggering: 7,805 ODI runs at an average of 50.68, making her the highest run-scorer in international women’s cricket history. She scored 7 ODI centuries and 64 half-centuries over her illustrious career. In Tests, she accumulated 699 runs with one century to her name, including a magnificent 214.
But statistics alone don’t capture her true impact. As captain, she led India in four World Cups, guiding the team to unprecedented success, including the 2017 World Cup final. She put Indian women’s cricket on the global map and became the first woman to surpass 10,000 runs across all international formats with a total of 10,868 runs.
Her elegant stroke play, exceptional temperament, and ability to build innings made her a nightmare for bowlers worldwide. Mithali’s longevity, spanning over two decades from 1999 to 2022, demonstrates her dedication and passion for the game. She received the Arjuna Award in 2003 and the Padma Shri in 2015 for her contributions to cricket.
Meg Lanning (Australia)
Meg Lanning’s name is synonymous with winning. As one of the most successful captains in cricket history, Lanning led Australia to six T20 World Cup titles and one ODI World Cup victory, establishing the team as the dominant force in women’s cricket.
Lanning’s captaincy record is phenomenal: she won 76 of her 107 matches as captain across formats, giving her a win percentage of over 70%. Under her leadership, Australia went on a record 26-match winning streak in ODIs.
Beyond her leadership prowess, Lanning is a dominant global batter whose aggressive approach revolutionised women’s batting. She scored over 8,350 international runs across formats. Her ODI average of 53.51 is among the best in the game, and she holds the record for the most centuries in Women’s ODIs with 15 centuries. In T20Is, she scored 3,405 runs with a strike rate of 116.37.
Lanning’s decision to retire at the peak of her career in 2023 shocked the cricketing world, but her legacy remains untarnished. She proved that women could be just as entertaining, skilled, and commercially viable as their male counterparts.
Charlotte Edwards (England)
Charlotte Edwards was a trailblazer who helped professionalise women’s cricket in England and beyond. This legendary opening batter broke numerous records during her illustrious career, scoring over 10,000 international runs across formats.
Edwards accumulated 5,992 runs in ODIs at an average of 38.16, along with 9 centuries and 46 half-centuries. In Tests, she scored 1,676 runs at an average of 44.10 with 4 centuries. She also contributed with the ball, taking 54 ODI wickets at an average of 21.74.
Edwards’ consistency at the top of the order provided England with solid foundations for over two decades. Her leadership as captain, combined with her batting excellence, made her one of the most respected figures in the game. She captained England in 182 matches across formats from 1996 to 2016, winning the 2009 World Cup and leading England to multiple Ashes victories.
Her impact on English cricket extends beyond her playing days. Edwards paved the way for the current generation of English cricketers, demonstrating that women could pursue cricket as a legitimate career path. She was appointed an MBE in 2009 for her services to cricket.
Belinda Clark (Australia)
Belinda Clark’s place in cricket history is secured by one extraordinary achievement: she scored the first-ever double century in ODI history in 1997 against Denmark, making an unbeaten 229 runs. This remarkable feat came before any male cricketer had achieved this milestone.
Clark accumulated 4,844 runs in ODIs at an average of 47.49, with 5 centuries and 30 half-centuries. In Tests, she scored 919 runs at an average of 45.95 with 2 centuries, including a best of 136.
Clark’s contributions to Australian cricket earned her another historic honour: she became the first female cricketer to be honoured with a statue at the Sydney Cricket Ground, joining the pantheon of Australian sporting legends in 2017.
As a batter and leader, Clark set standards that inspired future generations. She captained Australia in 15 Tests and 118 ODIs, leading the team to two World Cup victories in 1997 and 2005. Her ability to dominate bowling attacks and her fearless approach to the game helped change perceptions about women’s cricket.
Jhulan Goswami (India)
Jhulan Goswami revolutionised fast bowling in women’s cricket. Known as the quickest bowler on the women’s circuit, she remains the all-time leading wicket-taker in women’s ODI cricket with 255 wickets at an average of 24.84.
Across all formats, Goswami took over 300 international wickets, making her one of the most successful bowlers in women’s cricket history. She played 204 ODI matches before retiring from international cricket in 2022.
Goswami’s ability to generate pace, extract bounce, and move the ball both ways made her a nightmare for batters worldwide. She was named the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2007, becoming the first Indian woman to receive this honour.
Her longevity is remarkable: competing at the highest level from 2002 to 2022, well into her late 30s and early 40s. Jhulan didn’t just take wickets; she inspired a nation and proved that Indian women could compete with the best in the world. She received the Arjuna Award in 2010 and the Padma Shri in 2012.
Read More: The Rise of the Indian Women’s Cricket Team in World Cricket
Dominant Active Players: The Current Generation
While legends have set the foundation, today’s active players are pushing boundaries even further. Here are the best women cricketers currently dominating the sport.
Smriti Mandhana (India)
Smriti Mandhana represents the new face of Indian women’s cricket. This stylish and aggressive opening batter has taken the cricketing world by storm with her elegant stroke play and match-winning abilities.
Mandhana has scored over 5,400 runs in ODIs at an average of 47.88. In T20Is, she has accumulated over 4,200 runs across 163 matches. She became the fastest Indian woman to score 2,000 runs in ODIs and won the prestigious ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2018.
Mandhana’s impact extends beyond runs scored. As one of the most marketable female cricketers, she’s helping grow the commercial appeal of women’s cricket in India and worldwide. She was the first Indian woman cricketer to be featured on the cover of Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack.
Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)
Nat Sciver-Brunt has established herself as one of the world’s premier all-rounders. This explosive all-rounder and vital middle-order batter for England frequently features in conversations about the best players in the world, regardless of gender.
Sciver-Brunt has taken 170 wickets in ODIs at an average of 24.00, with best figures of 5/18. In Tests, she has claimed 51 wickets at an average of 21.52, including a remarkable 6/69. With the bat, she has contributed crucial runs across formats, maintaining a strike rate of over 113 in T20Is.
Her ability to accelerate innings in the middle overs, combined with her useful medium-pace bowling, makes her invaluable in limited-overs formats. She played a crucial role in England’s 2017 World Cup campaign and has been named in multiple ICC Teams of the Year.
Beth Mooney (Australia)
Beth Mooney has quietly become one of the most reliable and highly ranked batters in women’s cricket. Her consistency at the top of the order has been crucial to Australia’s continued dominance in international cricket.
Mooney has scored over 3,600 runs in T20Is at an average of 40.85, making her one of the most consistent performers in the shortest format. In ODIs, she has accumulated over 3,275 runs at an impressive average of 50.38, including 6 centuries. Her highest ODI score of 138 demonstrates her ability to play match-winning innings.
Mooney’s achievement of winning the coveted Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World award in 2022 underscores her excellence. She was also named the Player of the Tournament in the 2020 T20 World Cup, where she scored 259 runs to help Australia lift the trophy.
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)
Marizanne Kapp stands as South Africa’s premier all-rounder, whose pace bowling and batting brilliance have made her a global standout. In a South African team that has consistently punched above its weight, Kapp has been the cornerstone.
Kapp has taken 181 wickets in ODIs at an average of 24.24, with best figures of 5/20. With the bat, she has scored over 3,500 runs at an average of 35.11, including 4 centuries. Her ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes her one of the most valuable players in world cricket.
In T20Is, Kapp has been equally impressive, claiming 99 wickets at an average of 20.67 while scoring runs at a strike rate of over 107. She was named in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year multiple times and has been recognised as one of the top all-rounders in the game.
Conclusion
From Ellyse Perry’s all-round brilliance and Mithali Raj’s run-scoring mastery to Belinda Clark’s pioneering achievements and Jhulan Goswami’s pace revolution, the best women cricketers in the world have transformed the sport forever. Their contributions helped women’s cricket evolve from modest beginnings into a global spectacle enjoyed by millions of fans.
Today, stars like Smriti Mandhana, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Beth Mooney, and Marizanne Kapp continue to raise the bar, building on the legacy of those who came before them. With professional leagues expanding, greater investment, and growing support worldwide, women’s cricket is entering an exciting new era. The legends laid the foundation, and the next generation is ensuring that the future of the game remains brighter than ever.
Download Playo on Android or iOS, or visit playo.co to start playing!
Frequently Asked Questions
Ellyse Perry is widely regarded as the greatest female cricketer of all time and was the first player to achieve the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in women’s T20Is.
As of 2026, Smriti Mandhana is the No. 1 batter in the ICC Women’s ODI rankings.
Smriti Mandhana is the first woman cricketer to win the ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year award twice and has held the No. 1 spot in the ODI batting rankings.
Jhulan Goswami from India is the all-time leading wicket-taker in women’s ODI cricket with 255 wickets at an average of 24.84. The pace bowler took over 300 international wickets across formats during her illustrious career spanning from 2002 to 2022.
Meg Lanning holds the record for the most centuries in Women’s ODIs with 15 centuries. The former Australian captain scored over 8,350 international runs across formats with an impressive ODI average of 53.51 before retiring in 2023.
