Big-game performers soar in rankings after Women’s T20 World Cup
Fast bowling sensation Darcie Brown has continued her rapid ascent in the Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings, rising five places to third after claiming 1/25 from four overs in Australia’s absorbing victory over South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup final.
The 19-year-old picked up the early wicket of opener Tazmin Brits to set the tone for Australia as South Africa ultimately fell 19 runs short in the decider.
Brown arguably had even more influence in Australia’s semi-final triumph, dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues (43 from 24 balls) just as India looked on track to cause an upset against the reigning champions.
The right-arm pacer finished with 2/18 from four overs against India, and claimed seven wickets in South Africa while only giving up an average of five runs an over - the fifth best economy rate in the tournament.
Australia young gun Darcie Brown joins Sanjana Ganesan to talk about her pivotal spell against India in the semi-final at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
South Africa speedster Shabnim Ismail was the other big mover in the top 10, climbing four spots to seventh after taking 2/26 in the final and 3/27 in the semi-final against England.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone remains the No.1 bowler after taking the most wickets at the Women's T20 World Cup with 11.
The three bowlers were among those selected in the Upstox Most Valuable Team of the Tournament.
The two openers named in that Women’s T20 World Cup XI - Laura Wolvaardt and Brits - have reaped similar rewards in the Women’s T20I Batting Rankings.
Wolvaardt rises eight places to sixth after impressing in a new role at the top of the order, particularly with three crucial half-centuries when the stakes were highest and ended as the top scorer at the Women’s T20 World Cup 2023.
The classy right-hander gave the hosts plenty of hope in their run chase in the final with 61 from 48 balls, after helping set up the stirring semi-final win with 53 against England.
Wolvaardt was also in imperious form with an undefeated 66 against Bangladesh that secured South Africa’s qualification for the knockout stages in their last, cut-throat group match.
Laura Wolvaardt hit a classy half-century to set up South Africa’s strong first-innings effort against England in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023 semi-final.
Fellow opener Brits enjoyed similar success in the semi-final against England (68) and earlier against Bangladesh (50*), but was dismissed by Brown for 10 in the final against Australia.
The 32-year-old Brits leaps nine places to 12th in the batting rankings.
Australia power-hitter Tahlia McGrath hangs onto the top spot ahead of teammate Beth Mooney despite the opener putting together a hard-fought 74* to be Player of the Final on top of a fifty in the semi-final against India.
Ash Gardner entrenched her place at the top of the Women’s T20I All-Rounder Rankings with a quick-fire 29 from 21 balls that helped turn the final in Australia’s favour.
The 25-year old followed up with a composed 1/20 from four overs in South Africa’s innings, after a similar effort - 31 from 18 balls, and 2/37 from four overs - in the semi-final against India.
Gardner has added eight all-rounder rating points to move to a career-high 458 and extend her lead over West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews on 395.
Australia's Ash Gardner hit two sixes off South Africa's Nadine de Klerk in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023 final.