Women’s cricket has taken giant strides in the past decade. Ever since the 2017 World Cup, Women’s cricket has gained more and more fans across the cricketing world. India has been a big reason for this popularity followed by England and Australia. The 2025 Women’s World Cup has been going on in India and today is the second semi final between Australia vs India. There have been some truly special bowlers that have graced the women’s game.
Let’s look at the Top 10 Greatest Women’s Bowlers of all time
1) Jhulan Goswami
Jhulan Goswami was the fast bowler for India for 20 years from 2002-2022. She was someone who along with Mithali Raj were the cornerstones of women’s cricket in India. She has taken more than 355 Wickets in international cricket which is one of the most in history. In ODI Cricket, she has taken 255 Wickets at an average of 22.04. Jhulan Goswami is the highest wicket taker in Women’s ODIs. The fact that she managed to play for 20 years as a fast bowler is remarkable. It is a shame that she was not able to win an ICC trophy. Check out here Best bowling performances by Jhulan Goswami
2) Katherine Sciver Brunt
This fast bowler from England is the number 2 in this list. She has been the best fast bowler to play for a country not named India. Katherine Sciver Brunt played for 19 years from 2004-2023. She took more than 335 Wickets in international cricket. This included 170 Wickets in ODI Cricket at an average of 24.28. Katherine Sciver Brunt won the 2009 Cricket World Cup with England. She was a player who had aggression and she used to take wickets in the powerplay for England. She was very successful in all the 3 formats of the sport.
3) Ellyse Perry
This Australian all rounder is perhaps the greatest ever women’s Cricketer to have played the sport. Ellyse Perry is in the list of the greatest batters, greatest bowlers and she will be the greatest all rounder of all time. She is still playing the ODI World Cup. Ellyse Perry has been playing since 2007 and she has taken more than 330 Wickets in international cricket. In ODI Cricket, she has taken 160 Wickets at an average of 25. In Test Cricket, Ellyse Perry has taken 50 Wickets for Australia. Ellyse Perry does not bowl in international cricket anymore.
4) Shabnim Ismail
The first of 2 South African fast bowlers that will be in this list. Shabnim Ismail was the fast bowler who had an express pace. She played from 2007 till 2023 for South Africa. She took 317 wickets for South Africa in international cricket. She took 191 Wickets in ODI Cricket at an average of 20.66. Shabnim Ismail holds the record for bowling the fastest ball in the history of Women’s cricket. She must be proud to see South Africa reach the final of the 2025 World Cup.
5) Anisa Mohammed
This spin bowler from the West Indies was someone that not a lot of cricket fans know about. She was someone who has taken 305 wickets in international cricket. She played for 19 years for the West Indies from 2003-2022. Anisa Mohammed took 180 wickets in ODI Cricket at an average of 20.00. She was the first bowler in T20I Cricket history to take 100 international wickets irrespective of gender. She is easily one of the greatest cricketers in West Indies cricket.
6) Cathryn Flitzpatrick
The second Australian fast bowler in this list. Cathryn Fitzpatrick was a bowler that did not become famous like Ellyse Perry. She played from 1991-2007 when women’s cricket was not famous at all. She took 250 Wickets in international cricket. She took 180 Wickets in ODI Cricket at an extraordinary average of 16. This means for every 16 runs she took a wicket in ODI Cricket. She was the fastest woman of her era. She was the roadmap for Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt etc.
7) Marizanne Kapp
The second fast bowler from South Africa. Marizanne Kapp had the best performance in her international cricket career last night against England in the semi final of the World Cup. She took 5 wickets for 20 runs and in the process she took 44 wickets in ODI World Cups and went past Jhulan Goswami. She has an opportunity to win an ODI World Cup for South Africa. Marizanne Kapp has so far taken 280 Wickets In international cricket out of which 165 Wickets have been taken in ODI Cricket.
8) Sophie Ecclestone
The best spinner in the world for a number of years is the number 8 in this list. Sophie Ecclestone has been the backbone for England. She has been playing since 2016 and she has already taken 225 Wickets in international cricket. She has taken 100 Wickets in ODI Cricket at an average of 20. In T20I Cricket she is the number 1 ranked bowler in the world. The WPL has allowed her to get a lot of fans in Indian cricket circles. She will play for at least 5 years and can surpass 325 career Wickets.
9) Lisa Sthalekar
Modern Cricket fans will know Lisa Sthalekar as someone who is one of the best broadcasters in the world. However, she is one of the best spinners of all time for Australia. She has played from 2001-2013. In that time, Lisa Sthalekar took 220 wickets in international cricket. Out of these, 146 Wickets were in ODI Cricket at an average of 24.96. She was an incredible all round player. She was known for wiping the tail. Lisa Sthalekar is one of the all time greats.
10) Jess Jonassen
She is the fourth bowler from Australia to feature in this list. This is living proof that Australia has dominated women’s cricket ever since the 1990s. Jess Jonassen is the best spinner in Australia. She has been playing since 2012. In these 13 years, she has taken 220+ Wickets in international cricket. Jess Jonassen has taken 149 wickets at an average of 21.56 in ODI Cricket. Jess Jonassen excels in white ball cricket and her skill of varying the pace according to the situation of the game is masterful.
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