Most runs in single edition of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup: Australians dominate top 10

The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup has been a great platform for batters over the years to showcase their power-hitting and run-scoring prowess. T20 cricket, meanwhile, is considered an easier format for the willow-wielders due to shorter boundaries, batting-friendly pitches and the potential for run-scoring frenzy.

Australia Women, the record title-holders of the Women’s T20 World Cup, boast of run-machines like Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy. While the duo are among the leading run-scorers in the tournament’s history, Beth Mooney holds the record for most runs in a single edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The Victoria-based batter scored 259 runs in the 2020 edition.

Lanning along with West Indies’ Stafanie Taylor complete the top three of this list. Lanning and Healy, in fact, take the spotlight by featuring twice in the top 10.

On the other hand, Mithali Raj, who scored 208 runs in the 2014 edition, has the most runs in a single edition by an Indian player in the Women’s T20 World Cup. The former Indian captain ranks seventh overall.

Meanwhile, the English women’s cricket team’s Charlotte Edwards and Nat Sciver-Brunt also had stellar campaigns in 2016 and 2020, respectively. New Zealand’s Suzie Bates also makes the cut in the top 10 of this list.    

Most runs in single edition of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup

Beth Mooney - 259 runs in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020

Australia’s flamboyant wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney was in mesmerising form in the 2020 edition of the Women’s T20 World Cup. The left-handed batter amassed 259 runs in six matches, averaging an incredible 64.75 in a campaign that included three fifties.

Mooney smashed 78 runs off 54 balls in the final against India Women to set up a match-winning score of 184/4 for the Aussies. She was awarded the Player of the Tournament for her performances.

Meg Lanning - 257 runs in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2014

Australian skipper Meg Lanning was the backbone of the team’s success in 2014 in Bangladesh. Known as ‘The Megastar’, she scored 257 runs in six matches. She scored at a strike-rate of 158.64, spearheading the middle order in tricky situations.

Lanning’s exploits in 2014 included a 65-ball 126 against Ireland in the group stage. In the final, the captain scored 44 runs off 30 balls to help the Aussies chase down a modest England total. 

Stafanie Taylor - 246 runs in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2016

West Indies legend Stafanie Taylor, who features in the top three leading run-scorers in the tournament’s history, also ranks third in the most runs in a single Women’s T20 World Cup edition. Taylor racked up 246 runs in six matches during the 2016 edition.

Taylor scored at an average of 41.00, taking centre stage in the team’s title-winning campaign. She was also impressive with the ball, picking up eight wickets at an economy rate of 6.42.

The West Indies Women skipper scored a 57-ball 59 in the grand finale at Kolkata, guiding her team past the finishing line against the Australians.

Photo credits: Alamy