New entrants on Women’s ODI Team Rankings list as Scotland make early move
Scotland begin at 12th on ODI Team Rankings as one of two new entrants in the latest update.
Papua New Guinea and Scotland have entered the Women’s ODI Team Rankings list for the first time, after they were given official status in May 2022.
The rankings update comes after the teams have played the minimum number of ODIs to gain a ranking (eight), following their recent tri-series outing in the Netherlands earlier this month.
Scotland enter at 12th on the rankings, in large part thanks to three wins from four matches in their competition victory. Finishing winless in the series, Papua New Guinea enter at 15th.
In spite of missing Sarah and Kathryn Bryce among others in Utrecht and Amstelveen, the Scots claimed two wins over Papua New Guinea, splitting the two matches with the Dutch 1-1, but claiming the tri-series by virtue of a better net run rate.
Having also led her team during the tri-series, Scotland leg-spinner Abtaha Maqsood was prolific with the ball, taking 10 wickets across the four matches. The 25-year-old, already boasting close to 60 appearances for her country, claimed wickets in all four outings, with her figures of 4/37 (10) an early headline.
On the batting front, the Bryce sisters’ absence allowed others to step up and show their quality at this level, with Saskia Horley continuing her fine start in Scottish colours and the likes of 19-year-olds Katherine Fraser and Darcey Carter playing bigger roles.
Horley blazed 100 (121) on top of taking 4/24 (10) in match one to stamp her authority on the tri-series, also making scores of 1* and 43 to lead the event in runs. Carter’s 132 runs in the middle order often built on the early work of Horley, with Fraser’s 139 runs at 46.33 made lower down the order in late-innings situations.
The Scots (34 ranking points) stand above The Netherlands (20), who now sit in 13th in the latest changes, clear of Zimbabwe (13 points).
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Despite entering the ranking list with no points to their name as yet, there were individual positives for some of Papua New Guinea’s best in the series that bode well for future climbs.
Naoani Vare continues to grow into her role at the top of the order, making four starts of note in a 116-run series effort, with Tanya Ruma’s 79 and 2/17 again showcasing her all-round prowess.
Sibona Jimmy’s finger-spin also proved effective for the Lewas, claiming 3/19 in just 5.2 overs against the Scots in their final match, claiming an early scalp with the new ball before two late wickets in PNG’s desperate, albeit unsuccessful defending of 133.