We often hear commentators and cricket buffs use the term ‘partnership’ and while we may understand the basic meaning, do you know what it really means in cricket context? In simple words, two batters are said to be in a partnership while batting. This means that even though just one of them is at strike at once, they both contribute to the score and help each other make runs, i.e., both batters have to run for one of them to earn a run. This element of the game has proven to help the team bond better as their individual success depends on their teammates as well. Over time, we have seen some breath-taking partnerships so good that some of their joint successes are better than their individual wins! So, let’s have a look at the highest runs scored in a partnership at the Women’s Cricket World Cup.
1. Belinda Clark & Lisa Keightley – 806
In just 14 instances over 1997-2005, Australia’s Belinda Jane Clark and Lisa Maree Keightley have put together a mammoth of 806 runs, remaining not out in two instances. At first glance, you might not realize the significance of this achievement but what if I tell you the second on this list is not even 500. This sheds light on how dominating this record genuinely is. This stat includes three 100s and four 50s, with the highest total being 170 which was acquired during the 2000 CricInfo Women’s Cricket World Cup on the 18th of December in Lincoln when the Aussies took on the Proteas. Lisa scored 91* while Belinda contributed 75 and not ironically, this was also the 360th women’s ODI played, making it the perfect occasion as Clark and Keithley were undoubtedly 360-degree players that day.
2. Suzie Bates & Amy Satterthwaite – 498
Second on this list are New Zealand’s talented Suzanna Wilson Bates and Amy Ella Satterthwaite. Having made 9 appearances together between 2009-17 and hopefully more to come in the near future, Bates and Satterthwaite have put together 498 runs at an average of 62.25 while remaining unbeaten once at 170* which also happens to be their highest score together. This took place during the 2017 ICC’S Women’s Cricket World Cup on 24th June in Bristol. New Zealand was chasing down a poor 188, when top-order batters Bates (106*) and Satterthwaite (78) put together a 170-run partnership, winning the match comfortably for the Kiwis by 9 wickets.
3. Nicole Bolton & Beth Mooney – 462
Just a couple of runs behind are Australia’s Nicole Elizabeth Bolton and Bethany Louise Mooney who have made 9 appearances together, all during the 2017 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. In these instances, they scored 462 runs together, averaging a remarkable 57.75. Their highest score together was a run ahead of the previous two, 171. In Taunton on the 26th of July, Australia and West Indies were at loggerheads in which the Aussies restfully chased down 204 in 38.1 overs. Bolton was prized player of the match for her 107* (116) while she was provided with immense support from her co-opener Mooney who scored 70 (85).
4. Charlotte Edwards & Clare Taylor – 446
Fourth on this list are England’s Charlotte Marie Edwards and Samantha Clare Taylor. Scoring two centuries and one half-century together, Edwards and Taylor have put together 446 runs at an average of 49.55 between 2000-09 in 9 innings together. The highest of these is 132 that surfaced on 30th March during the 2005 IWCC Women’s Cricket World Cup. While chasing a low 174/6, England’s Edwards was adjudged player of the match for her 99 (133) while her teammate Taylor gave her support and remained unbeaten at 55, defeating South Africa by 8 wickets with 10.1 overs remaining.
5. Emily Drumm & Debbie Hockley – 436
Just 10 runs short of the 4th position are New Zealand’s Emily Cecilia Drumm and Deborah Ann Hockley who put together 436 runs together in 8 innings in just 4 years between 1997-2000, remaining unbeaten once. Subsequently, they averaged an amazing 62.28 together, the highest being 121. This happened during the 1997 Hero Honda Women’s Cricket World Cup two days before Christmas in Mumbai when New Zealand elected to bat first putting together 244 owing to Hockley’s 70 (118) who was crowned player of the match and Drumm’s 60 (83) which was ample to win the game by 139 runs.
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