T20Is in Women’s cricket, unlike the Men’s game, do not often see very high strike rates. Strike rates in excess of 150s is a rarity in Women’s cricket and those who manage to achieve that become match-winners. Therefore, those who possess good striking ability generally prove to be the trump cards for their sides, who on their day can win games single-handedly. As we head into the all-important ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, we look at the top 5 batswomen with highest strike-rates since the last T20 World Cup:
[Criteria: Should have scored a minimum of 200 runs in the given time period]
#5 Ashleigh Gardner (AUS-W) – Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner is a fierce striker of the ball, having a career-strike rate of 132.4 in T20Is. Her ODI strike rate of 119.6 is a further testament to her immense striking ability. Since the last T20 World Cup, Gardner has scored 257 runs in 10 innings at a strike rate of 135.26 and average of 25.7, with a highest score of 93. She has hit 9 sixes in the 10 innings she has batted, along with 29 boundaries. Gardner’s strike rate is the fifth highest in the period after the last World Cup.
The Sydney Sixers all-rounder plays in the middle-order for Australia and will don the important role of a finisher.
#4 Nida Dar (PAK-W) – 138.77
One of Pakistan’s finest T20 players, Nida Dar is an explosive batter, whose big hitting prowess is on a rise. Dar has a strike rate of 138.77 post the 2018 Women’s T20 World Cup, as compared to a career strike rate of 96.10. In this period, she has aggregated 272 runs from 10 innings at an average of 30.22, with a highest score of 75. She has hit 26 fours and 11 sixes in the 10 innings in this period.
Despite not being in great form, Dar will be key to Pakistan’s success, especially in the absence of a number of experienced players. Her experience with the Melbourne Thunders in the WBBL will be of great help for her as well as her side.
#3 Shafali Verma (IND-W) – 140.86
India’s teenage sensation Shafali Verma, at just 16 years of age, already has 2 fifties under her belt and a Player of the Tournament award as well. The youngest Indian to score a fifty in international cricket, Shafali is a dashing opener who plays the fearless brand of cricket and brings in the much needed firepower at the top of the order for India.
Sports Betting: Shafali Verma has 7/2 odds of being the top batswoman for India Women in their clash against Australia on February 21st.
In the 14 games she has played, Verma has scored 324 runs at an average of 24.92 and strike rate of 140.86, along with the highest score of 73. She has hit 40 boundaries and 12 maximums in this period.
Shafali being the X-factor at the top of the order might prove to be a game changer for India, for if she fires she can take the game away in span of a few overs.
#2 Sophie Devine (NZ-W) – 143.76
Sophie Devine has been one of the most fearsome batters in the T20 format for quite a while. The story is no different this time around. Moreover, she is going into the World Cup with terrific form; 4 fifties and 1 hundred in her last five innings, en-route to becoming the first woman to hit five consecutive fifty plus scores in T20Is. Devine has a career strike rate of 125.2, which has increased significantly post the 2018 World Cup to 143.76; the second highest in the world in this period. Sophie’s incredible run of form includes 450 runs from just 7 innings at an average of 75.00, including 20 sixes and 42 fours.
The Kiwi skipper holds the key for her side and her performance will decide the fate of the team to a large extent.
#1 Alyssa Healey (AUS-W) – 164.68
One of the best T20I players in the world at the moment, Alyssa Healey is the only player to have a strike rate in excess of 150 post the 2018 World Cup. Healey was adjudged the player of the tournament in the previous edition and has continued her terrific form as she bagged the ICC’s T20I Cricketer of the Year for the second consecutive year. Healey has scored 387 runs in 14 innings since the last World Cup at an average of 32.25 and also has a highest score of 148*. She has hit 57 fours and 11 sixes in this period.
Online Betting: Alyssa Healy has 13/2 odds of winning the Man of the Match in AUS-W vs IND-W Clash on February 21st
Healy struggled in the recently concluded tri-series, but she will be the trump card for Australia in the World Cup, given the kind of starts she can provide. Australia’s struggles with the bat whenever Healy failed in the tri-series further signifies the role of the wicket-keeper batswoman.