Over the years, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has witnessed few exceptional bowling performances. Throughout the tournament’s history, several bowlers have showcased their bowling attributes by taking the most wickets in a single edition, demonstrating their skill, consistency, and ability to perform under pressure. The record for the most wickets in a single ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is a testament to a bowler’s dominance and below we have a look at the leading wicket-takers in each edition of the mega ICC competition.
Holly Colvin, England – 2009 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, England
The 2009 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was hosted by England, which they won. England was placed in Group B with India, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan. In this World Cup, England’s Holly Colvin, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, showed her best bowling performance and took a total of 9 wickets in 5 matches. Her best bowling performance came against Pakistan where she took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding 18 runs.
2010 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, West Indies
Diana David, India
The 2010 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was hosted by the West Indies and won by Australia. India was placed in Group B with Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and New Zealand. In this World Cup, India’s Diana David, a right-arm off-break bowler, showed her best bowling performance and took a total of 9 wickets in 4 matches. Her best bowling performance came against Sri Lanka at the crucial stage of the Semi-final, where she took 4 wickets in 4 overs, conceding 12 runs. In this World Cup, Diana David and Nicola Browne both took the same number of wickets and thus tied in the most wickets list.
Nicola Browne, New Zealand
New Zealand was placed in Group B with Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and India. In this World Cup, New Zealand’s Nicola Browne, a right-arm medium pacer, showed her best bowling performance and took a total of 9 wickets in 5 matches. Her best bowling performance came against Pakistan where she took 4 wickets in 4 overs, conceding 15 runs.
Julie Hunter, Australia – 2012 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Australia
The 2012 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was hosted and won by Australia, their second title in T20 World Cup history. Australia was placed in Group A with England, Pakistan, and India. In this World Cup, Australia’s Julie Hunter, a right-arm medium pacer, showed her best bowling performance and took a total of 11 wickets in 5 matches. Her best bowling performance came at the crucial stage of the Semi-Final against West Indies where she took 5 wickets in 4 overs, conceding 22 runs.
Anya Shrubsole, England – 2014 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Bangladesh
The 2014 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was hosted by Bangladesh and won by Australia, their third consecutive title in T20 World Cup history. England was placed in Group B with West Indies, Sri Lanka, India, and Bangladesh. In this World Cup, England’s Anya Shrubsole, a right-arm medium pacer, showed her best bowling performance and took a total of 13 wickets in 6 matches. Her best bowling performance came against India where she took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 6 runs.
2016 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, India
In the 2016 Women’s T20 World Cup played in India, there was tight competition for the best bowler spot. Three bowlers from the tournament – Leigh Kasperek, Sophie Devine, and Deandra Dottin – took the same number of wickets and shared the first position in the most wickets taker’s list.
Leigh Kasperek, New Zealand
New Zealand was placed in Group A with Australia, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Ireland in this edition of the T20 World Cup. Leigh Kasperek, a right-arm off-break bowler, took a total of 9 wickets in 6 matches. Her best bowling performance came against Australia where she took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 13 runs.
Sophie Devine, New Zealand
Sophie Devine, a right-arm medium pacer, took a total of 9 wickets in 5 matches. Her best bowling performance came against West Indies in the semi-final where she took 4 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 22 runs. Unfortunately, New Zealand lost that match by 6 runs and were knocked out of the tournament.
Deandra Dottin, West Indies
West Indies was placed in Group B with England, Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. Deandra Dottin, a right-arm pacer, took a total of 9 wickets in 6 matches. Her best bowling performance came against India where she took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 16 runs. Due to her all-round performance, West Indies managed to win the World Cup that year.
2018 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, West Indies
In the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup played in the West Indies, there was again tight competition for the best bowler spot. Three bowlers from the tournament – Deandra Dottin, Ashleigh Gardner, and Megan Schutt – took the same number of wickets and shared the first position in the most wickets taker’s list.
Deandra Dottin, West Indies
West Indies was placed in Group A with England, Sri Lanka, South Africa, and Bangladesh. Deandra Dottin took a total of 10 wickets in 5 matches. Her best bowling performance came against Bangladesh where she took 5 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 5 runs.
Ashleigh Gardner, Australia
Australia was placed in Group B with India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Ireland in this World Cup. Ashleigh Gardner, a right-arm off-break bowler, took a total of 10 wickets in 6 matches. Her best bowling performance came against England in the Final, where she took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 22 runs.
Megan Schutt, Australia
Megan Schutt, a right-arm pacer, took a total of 10 wickets in 6 matches. Her best bowling performance came against New Zealand where she took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 12 runs.
Megan Schutt, Australia – 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, Australia
The 2020 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was hosted and won by Australia, their fifth title in T20 World Cup history. Australia was placed in Group A with India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. Megan Schutt, a right-arm medium pacer, took a total of 13 wickets in 6 matches. Her best bowling performance came in the Final against India where she took 4 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 18 runs, helping Australia win the T20 World Cup.
Sophie Ecclestone, England – 2023 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, South Africa
The 2023 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup was hosted by South Africa and won by Australia, their sixth title in T20 World Cup history. England was placed in Group B with India, West Indies, Pakistan, and Ireland. Sophie Ecclestone, a slow left-arm orthodox bowler, took a total of 11 wickets in 5 matches. Her best bowling performance came against Ireland where she took 3 wickets in 4 overs, conceding only 13 runs.
