Former New Zealand batter Debbie Hockley holds the record for scoring the most runs in Women’s World Cup.
Having featured in five editions of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup between 1982 and 2000, Hockley amassed 1,501 runs in 45 matches at an average of 42.88. The right-hander batter smashed two hundreds and 10 fifties in the tournament’s history.
The Christchurch-born cricketer was the Player of the Match in the 1997 World Cup final against arch-rivals Australia in India.
The former Kiwi captain was the first woman cricketer to reach 4,000 ODI runs and feature in 100 matches in the 50-over format. She was also the first New Zealand woman cricketer to score 1,000 ODI runs.
The second on the list for most runs in Women’s World Cups is former England cricketer Janette Brittin. The right-handed batter accumulated 1,299 runs in 36 matches at an average of 43.30 with four centuries and three fifties to her name.
Brittin represented England in Women’s World Cup between 1982 and 1997, winning it once and also holds the record for the most catches in the history of the tournament (19).
Apart from Hockley and Brittin, former England top-order batter Charlotte Edwards features third on the list for most runs in Women’s World Cup.
In ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups, Edwards scored 1,231 runs in 30 matches between 1997 and 2017. Being the youngest player ever to play for England women’s cricket team, Edwards led her side to the 50-over World Cup title against New Zealand in 2009 in Australia.
Former Australia cricketer Belinda Clark and India cricket team captain Mithali Raj complete the top five list for the most runs in Women’s World Cup history.
The legendary Australia cricket team captain amassed 1,151 runs in 29 matches at an impressive average of 60.57. She was part of the Australian side that won the 50-over Women’s World Cups in 1997 and 2005.
On the other hand, Mithali Raj is the only Indian to feature in the top five list for most runs in the Women’s World Cup.
The right-handed batter has represented India in 31 matches in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, accumulating 1,139 runs at an average of 54.23 with two hundreds and nine fifties to her name.
Raj has also captained India in more than one ICC ODI Women’s World Cup final, having led them in 2005 and 2017.
Most runs in Women’s World Cup
| Player | Span | Matches | Runs | Average | 100 | 50 |
| Debbie Hockley | 1982-2000 | 45 | 1501 | 42.88 | 2 | 10 |
| Janette Brittin | 1982-1997 | 36 | 1299 | 43.30 | 4 | 3 |
| Charlotte Edwards | 1997-2013 | 30 | 1231 | 53.52 | 4 | 7 |
| Belinda Clark | 1993-2005 | 29 | 1151 | 60.57 | 1 | 6 |
| Mithali Raj | 2000-2017 | 31 | 1139 | 54.23 | 2 | 9 |
Featured photo: Biju BORO / AFP
