Deepti Sharma Gaining Ground On No. 1 Sophie Ecclestone In ICC Women's T20 Bowling Rankings

Published - 31 Jan 2023, 03:47 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Deepti Sharma (Image Credit: Twitter)

Sophie Ecclestone’s tenure as the top-ranked T20I bowler in England is under threat after a duo of spinners from India and South Africa made significant advances in the current MRF Tyres ICC T20I Player Rankings.

While Deepti Sharma and Nonkululeko Mlaba have made significant strides against the England spinner as a result of stellar performances in the continuing tri-series between India, South Africa, and the West Indies, Ecclestone still holds a slim lead at the top heading into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Deepti Sharma Only 26 Points Behind Sophie Ecclestone In T20I Bowling Ranks

Deepti Sharma is the series’ leading wicket-taker with nine, while Mlaba isn’t much behind with four, and the two will be vying for Ecclestone’s position as the top-ranked T20I bowler if they maintain their current form before the start of the Women’s T20 World Cup on February 10.

After the latest ICC rankings update on Tuesday, Ecclestone’s advantage has shrunk to just 26 rating points, with second-placed Deepti Sharma (737) and third-placed Mlaba (732) both leaping a position courtesy of their outstanding recent results and coming close on the England star’s total of 763 rating points.

The rankings update for bowlers this week saw lots of change within the top 10, with Australia pacer Megan Schutt (up six positions to fifth) and England seamer Katherine Sciver-Brunt (up two spots to sixth) both ascending the rank.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad of India climbs four ranks to 14th overall on the list of T20I bowlers, while Australia’s Alana King (up 12 spaces to 17th) and Darcie Brown (up eight spots to 26th) grab the attention after strong performances in their recent series against Pakistan.

Tahlia McGrath Retains Her Top Spot In T20I Batter Rankings

Tahlia McGrath of Australia retains a comfortable lead at the top of the T20I batter rankings, with quality South African top-order player Laura Wolvaardt among the greatest movers behind her. Wolvaardt moves up four spots to ninth overall following a great start to the tri-series against India and the West Indies, while colleague Tazmin Brits moves up ten spots to 18th after an excellent half-century last week.

Australia's Tahlia McGrath. Photo- Twitter — Australia’s Tahlia McGrath. Photo- Twitter

West Indies captain Hayley Matthews has been in fantastic form during the tri-series, and the skilled all-rounder has risen four places to 22nd overall in the revised T20I batter rankings. The only change within the top ten for all-rounders is Australia veteran Ellyse Perry, who replaces McGrath after a stunning half-century against Pakistan.

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