Who says cricket is a gentleman’s game? Women have not just entered the field; they’ve rewritten the playbook and left men scratching their heads. And if you thought watching men’s cricket was thrilling, these ladies are here to show you who the real MVPs are! We’ve sifted through the 21st century’s best female cricketers, filtered out the fluff, and brought you the crème de la crème — the top 5 women’s cricketers who’ve made every run, wicket, and catch a moment to remember.
5. Jhulan “The Bounce Queen” Goswami (India)
The sheer name Jhulan Goswami is enough to send shivers down a batter’s spine! Standing tall and proud, this fiery Indian pacer ruled the women’s game like a colossus. With a career that’s lasted longer than the lifespan of some of today’s rookie bowlers, Goswami has broken records like a kid popping bubble wrap. We’re talking most ODI wickets, deadly in-swingers, and a “ball of the century” delivery that would make Shane Warne smile from the heavens.
But it’s not just about the stats. It’s about grit, pain, and glory! This woman has battled more injuries than a football team in a bar brawl and yet, she’s always come back swinging — quite literally! Picture this: walking off the field for the last time at Lord’s, the same venue that once shattered her dreams in 2017. Full circle, anyone? Even post-retirement, Goswami is still making waves as a coach, molding the next generation of Indian speedsters. Move aside, retirement homes; Jhulan’s got a bowling academy to run!
4. Alyssa “The Mighty Midge” Healy (Australia)
If you think big things come in small packages, you haven’t met Alyssa Healy. “Midge” might sound cute, but she’s the giant-slayer who turns World Cup finals into her personal highlight reels. This woman has a knack for ruining the opposition’s party with some of the most outrageous batting you’ll ever see. And just when bowlers think they have her cornered, Healy pulls off a record-breaking knock like it’s just another day at the office.
In the 2022 World Cup final, Healy treated England like a bunch of amateurs, smashing 170 to deliver Australia their seventh title. The only thing left for Healy to conquer is probably Mars, considering she’s already conquered everything else. Sure, she might not have a Test century, but who needs one when you’ve got a dozen World Cup trophies decorating your living room?
3. Meg “The Mastermind” Lanning (Australia)
If chess had cricket pieces, Meg Lanning would be the queen — moving in every direction and taking out anything in her path. Her cuts and drives are as surgical as they are brutal, and she’s orchestrated more wins than any other captain in history. Lanning’s ability to slice the field with her bat is only second to her brainpower when it comes to leading the Aussie women’s side.
Under her command, the Aussies ruled with an iron fist: one ODI World Cup, four T20 World Cup titles, and a win streak that makes even Ricky Ponting look like an amateur. And if all that wasn’t enough, she casually announced her retirement at 31, leaving us all gasping like “Wait, what? Already?” Maybe the pressure got to her, or maybe she’s just too smart to hang around like an overstayed guest. But one thing’s for sure: cricket’s lost its grandmaster.
2. Nat “The Quiet Storm” Sciver-Brunt (England)
Nat Sciver-Brunt isn’t just a player; she’s the weather system that rains on every opponent’s parade. There’s no drama, no fanfare — just an ominous quietness before she strikes with the force of a hurricane. Her batting? Clinical. Her bowling? Lethal. But it’s her ability to deliver under the fiercest pressure that makes her a once-in-a-generation talent.
With unbeaten centuries against the Aussies and a record as one of the highest run-scorers in the Women’s Hundred, Sciver-Brunt is England’s knight in shining armor. And if anyone thought she’d be out of the game post a mental-health break, she came back, dropped a hundred, and said, “Guess who’s back, back again.” It’s not just about cricket — it’s about setting standards, smashing them, and making sure no one forgets the storm that is Nat Sciver-Brunt.
1. Ellyse “The Phenomenon” Perry (Australia)
Drumroll, please… At No. 1, we have the goddess of all things cricket: Ellyse Perry! If we could design the perfect cricketer, we’d probably end up sketching Perry’s silhouette. She started out as a prodigious teenager, has grown into the ultimate allrounder, and along the way, picked up every award, trophy, and title imaginable.
Perry’s exploits read like a work of fiction. Test double-century? Check. Best ODI bowling figures? Check. Playing in a football World Cup and becoming Australia’s finest cricket export? Check, check, and check again! There’s really no arguing her place at the top — she’s the standard that others aspire to reach. Even a nasty hamstring injury couldn’t keep her down; she came back, picked up the bat, and made critics eat their words faster than a T20 innings.
So, there you have it — the top 5 women cricketers of the 21st century. They’ve crushed stereotypes, pushed boundaries, and redefined what it means to be a cricket legend. They’ve ruled the pitch, owned the spotlight, and made sure that when it comes to cricket, it’s not just a man’s world anymore! Who runs the world? Girls, obviously!