Biggest names in Women's Cricket of all time

Women’s sport is constantly growing, and matches are continually being played on a bigger stage with larger crowds. In this piece we take a look at just some of the icons of Women’s Cricket. Of course, there are players who paved the way for others and continuously tried to grow the game even when only the smallest spotlight was on the sport, and such players need commending for their efforts. Many such players had the ability to deliver incredible performances with limited access to coaches and the facilities that players have today.

So, let’s take a look at some of these iconic players…

Ellyse Perry (Australia):

An all-rounder who became the youngest player to ever represent their country. Perry was only 16 when she first played for the Aussies and was the first person to ever appear in both the FIFA and ICC World Cup! Her all-round ability has amazed cricket fans for years and she is widely considered the greatest of all time when it comes to the record books. She was also the first person to achieve both 1000 runs and 100 wickets in T20 internationals - Perry combines fast-paced bowling with speeds of up to 125 km/h with aggressive batting.

Sarah Taylor (England)

One of the first English cricketers to be offered a central contract in the women’s game, Sarah Taylor is a legend in English women’s cricket. A record breaker in the women’s game, she became the fastest player in ether the men’s or women’s game to debut in all three formats, and all in just 9 days!
Sarah was also the youngest player ever to reach 1000 runs. Having previously been named as one of the players of the year in the ICC ODI team of the year, she made 226 appearances across all formats for England, making her one of the most experienced female cricketers in English history. Taylor also became the first female coach to coach a men’s side in the English county team system and is now coaching both the men’s and women’s side for the Manchester Originals in The Hundred.

Rachael Heyhoe-Flint (England)

Rachael had a whopping 22-year spell playing for the England Women’s cricket team and captained the side from 1966 to 1978. She led her side to victory in the 1973 Women’s Cricket World Cup which was the first ever Women’s world cup. Predominantly a batter who was a part of the first female fixture to ever be heled at Lord’s, she went on to lead her side to an 8-win victory. Well known as an icon of her time in women’s sport she was fighting not just to lead her side to victory, but to grow the women’s game. She was inducted into the ICC hall of fame in 2010, the same year she became a member of the England and Wales Cricket Board.

Charlotte Edwards (England)

Primarily a right-handed batter, Edwards reached incredible heights throughout her career both domestically and internationally for England. She achieved the highest score by an English women’s player in an ODI, just before her 18th birthday, reaching a whopping 173* not out.
Edwards has the record for the most appearances for England in a Women’s ODI, as well as achieving enormous figures for appearances across numerous formats. Named player of the year in 2008, she made President of the Professional Cricketers Association in 2021 and was inducted in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. Widely considered one of the most influential players in English women’s cricket, Edwards has the accolades to go with it.

Belinda Clark (Australia)

Captaining the Australian National side for 11 years, Belinda Clark was the cornerstone of Australian Women’s cricket helping the side to victories in their 1997 and 2005 World Cup campaigns. Clark is considered a pioneer of the game; the right-handed batter was the first player to achieve a double century in an ODI and has achieved the most runs ever in the format with 4,844. Becoming the first woman to be inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and the second in the ICC Hall of Fame. Clark has dedicated a huge proportion of her life to growing the game through her time spent outside of playing. A true lover of the sport who epitomises the values of cricket.

Of course, there are many other huge names which we weren’t able to mention in this blog, who undoubtedly deserve a mention. From players who paved the way for Women’s cricket in their country, to current elite players who are changing the way Women’s Cricket is viewed, they all are notably big names in the sport.

There is no better time to watch Women’s cricket, with fixtures and tournaments including IT20s to the exciting new format of The Hundred – you won’t want to miss this action.

The Hundred offers the chance to witness Women’s and Men’s matches in the same evening. Head down to The Kia Oval to witness current champions Oval Invincibles who will be looking to make it three consecutive titles and see huge names such as Tash Farrant and Suzie Bates deliver emphatic performances.

Edgbaston is home to the Birmingham Phoenix team who will be showcasing their skills at home throughout the tournament. Names to look out for this coming season include England fast bowler Issy Wong, with ambitions to become the fastest bowler in Women’s Cricket in the world, Issy has high ambitions and always delivers! Australian superstar Ellyse Perry and Birmingham native Amy Jones are both looking to kick off 2023’s tournament in style!

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