Picking an all-time Australia Women’s ODI XI is therefore a difficult exercise. The selection must balance pioneers from earlier eras with modern players who have transformed the pace and power of women’s cricket. The XI below considers career statistics, match-winning influence, big-game performances and the overall balance required to build a side capable of competing against any opposition.

All-Time Australia Women’s ODI XI

Openers: Belinda Clark and Alyssa Healy

A successful ODI opening pair needs more than attacking strokeplay. It must also handle the new ball, build a platform and adapt to different match situations. Australia’s history provides two contrasting but complementary choices in Belinda Clark and Alyssa Healy.

Belinda Clark (Captain)

Role: Right-handed opening batter

Key stats: 4,844 runs, average 47.49, five centuries, high score 229*

Belinda Clark is the natural captain of this side. She led Australia to World Cup victories in 1997 and 2005 and became the first cricketer—male or female—to score a double century in ODI cricket when she made 229* against Denmark in 1997.

Her tactical awareness and leadership standards make her an ideal figure to guide an XI containing players from several generations.

Alyssa Healy (Wicketkeeper)

Role: Right-handed wicketkeeper-batter

Key stats: 3,000+ runs, strike rate around 100, five-plus centuries, 100+ dismissals

Healy brings immediate aggression to the opening partnership. Her attacking approach, quick scoring and ability to find boundaries make her the perfect modern counterpoint to Clark.

Her standout performance came in the 2022 World Cup Final, when she struck 170 from 138 balls. That remains the highest individual score in a World Cup final match.

Middle Order: Rolton, Lanning, Perry and Mooney

The middle order combines stability, elite run production and the ability to accelerate when required.

Karen Rolton

Key stats: 4,818 runs, average 48.14, eight centuries, 85 wickets

Rolton was one of Australia’s most influential left-handed batters for more than a decade. Her clean strokeplay and ability to clear the boundary make her an excellent No. 3.

Her unbeaten 107 in the 2005 World Cup Final is a particularly strong example of her ability to perform when the stakes were highest.

Meg Lanning

Key stats: 4,602 runs, average 53.51, 15 centuries

Lanning’s combination of technique, consistency and composure earns her the No. 4 position. Her 15 ODI centuries are identified in the source as the most in women’s ODI history.

She also provides the ability to control a chase while maintaining the scoring rate needed to put pressure on an opposition.

Ellyse Perry

Key stats: 3,500+ runs, batting average 50.00+, 160+ wickets, best bowling 7/22

Perry gives this XI a rare level of balance. After debuting at 16, she developed from a specialist fast bowler into an elite batter while continuing to provide a major bowling option.

Her ability to contribute at the highest level in both disciplines means the captain has considerably more flexibility when constructing the attack or responding to match conditions.

Beth Mooney

Key stats: 2,000+ runs, average 50.00+, strike rate around 85

Mooney strengthens the lower middle order with her ability to rotate the strike, play spin effectively and accelerate under pressure. She is particularly valuable when the team needs to recover from a difficult situation or finish an innings strongly.

All-Rounders: Lisa Sthalekar and Ashleigh Gardner

The selection of two off-spinning all-rounders gives Australia considerable tactical flexibility. Both can contribute with the bat while providing control through the middle overs.

Lisa Sthalekar

Key stats: 2,728 runs, 146 wickets, bowling average 24.97

Sthalekar was the first player in women’s ODI history to reach the milestone of 2,000 runs and 100 wickets. Her flight, drift and control made her an effective middle-overs bowler, while her batting strengthened the lower order.

Ashleigh Gardner

Key stats: 1,200+ runs, 80+ wickets, strike rate around 115

Gardner represents the power-packed modern all-rounder. Her aggressive batting can change the momentum of an innings, while her off-spin provides another route to important wickets.

She adds exactly the kind of lower-order hitting that can turn a competitive total into a match-winning one.

Bowling Attack: Fitzpatrick, Schutt and Jonassen

The bowling combination covers three important ODI disciplines: express pace, swing and left-arm spin.

Cathryn Fitzpatrick

Key stats: 180 wickets, economy 3.01, best bowling 5/14

Fitzpatrick leads the attack with genuine pace. She was regarded as the fastest female bowler of her era, with speeds approaching 120 km/h, and remained a major threat across more than 15 years.

Her 180 ODI wickets also meant she held the record for the most women’s ODI wickets for more than a decade.

Megan Schutt

Key stats: 120+ wickets, economy below 4.20

Schutt brings movement with the new ball and variation at the end of an innings. Her inswinger to right-handed batters has been a key wicket-taking weapon, while slower deliveries allow her to restrict scoring during the death overs.

Jess Jonassen

Key stats: 140+ wickets, economy around 3.95, average below 22.00

Jonassen provides left-arm variation and control through the middle overs. Her accuracy, tight trajectory and tactical awareness make her an important part of an attack designed to build pressure rather than rely solely on pace.

Strengths and Tactical Weaknesses

The biggest strength of this XI is its balance. Batting runs deep into the lineup, with Gardner at No. 8, while the bowling options include express pace, swing, seam, left-arm spin and two off-spinners.

The players also bring extensive World Cup experience, with every member of the XI having won at least one ICC World Cup according to the source selection.

The main tactical concern is the absence of a specialist wrist-spinner. The XI prioritizes off-spin and left-arm orthodox options rather than selecting a traditional leg-spinner such as Alana King or Shelley Nitschke. Sthalekar and Jonassen, however, provide different forms of control and variation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is the captain of the All-Time Australia Women’s ODI XI?

Belinda Clark is selected as captain. She led Australia to two ICC World Cup victories and played a foundational role during an important era of Australian dominance.

Why is Ellyse Perry included as the leading all-rounder?

Perry combines a batting average above 50 with more than 160 ODI wickets. Her ability to contribute at an elite level in both disciplines gives the XI exceptional balance.

How many World Cups have the players in this XI won collectively?

According to the source article, the XI’s players have accumulated more than 25 World Cup winner’s medals across different eras of Australian cricket.

Who holds Australia Women’s ODI wicket record?

Cathryn Fitzpatrick retired with 180 ODI wickets and held the world record for women’s ODI wickets at the time, making her the leading pace option in this XI.

Why is Meg Lanning selected at No. 4?

Lanning’s 15 ODI centuries, 53.51 batting average and ability to control high-pressure chases make her an outstanding No. 4 choice.

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