Top 5 wicket takers in Women’s T20 World Cup history ft. Ellyse Perry

New Delhi: Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 will see Bangladesh take on Scotland in the tournament opener at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah on Thursday, October 03. This tournament is to be held in Bangladesh. But due to political turmoil in the country, it was shifted to UAE.

Ten teams are going to participate in Women’s T20 World Cup 2024. Ten teams are divided into five groups and battle it out for the elusive trophy. Defending champions Australia will once again start as favourites, and will be looking for a fourth straight win in the tournament. However, they are expected to face a tough challenge from teams like India and England.

Harmanpreet Kaur-led India are in Group A alongside Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, while Group B includes England, West Indies, South Africa, Bangladesh and Scotland. India have warmed up for the showpiece event with back-to-back wins over the West Indies and South Africa in the warm-up matches and will look to continue their fine form in the tournament.

Here’s a look at the top 5 wicket takers in the Women’s T20 World Cup:

1) Shabnim Ismail

South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail is the all-time leading wicket-taker in the Women’s T20 World Cup with 43 wickets in 32 matches at an impressive average of 15.25 and an economy rate of 5.83. Considered one of the fastest bowlers in women’s cricket, the right-arm pacer has played in all the T20 World Cups since the tournament’s inception in 2009.

Ismail has been delivering consistently for the Proteas women in the shorter format. However, she will not be a part of the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup as she was not selected in the South African squad for the showpiece event.

2) Anya Shrubsol

Former England pacer Anya Shrubsole is the second highest wicket taker in the Women’s T20 World Cup. Shrubsole, who retired from international cricket in 2022, took 41 wickets in 27 matches for England in the tournament. Shrubshole’s 41 scalps came with an average of 12.48 and an excellent economy of 5.32.

3) Megan Shutt

In the Women’s T20 World Cup, Australian pacer Megan Schutt took 40 wickets in 24 matches and took the third position. Shutt, a regular for Australia in T20Is, made her debut in the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2016 and has been instrumental in her team’s three consecutive title wins in the last three editions of the tournament. She has a chance to overtake Ismail and become the all-time leading wicket-taker in this year’s tournament.

4) Ellie Perry

Another Aussie on the list.Regarded as one of the best all-rounders in the women’s game, Perry has been a consistent performer for Australia in T20Is over the years. She is the 4th highest wicket-taker in the Women’s T20 World Cup with 40 wickets in 42 matches at an economy rate of 5.79. Perry is also likely to end the 2024 edition as the highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

5) Stephanie Taylor

West Indies all-rounder Stephanie Taylor, who took 33 wickets in 31 matches in the Women’s T20 World Cup, is ranked 5th in the elite list. Taylor scored 926 runs in the tournament, and she was prominent in the West Indies team. She hopes to enjoy another memorable tournament in the UAE this year and help the West Indies clinch their second title.