Jhulan Goswami becomes first player to reach 250 wickets in women’s ODIs

Indian women’s cricket team star Jhulan Goswami is the overall leader for most wickets in women’s ODI with 250 scalps.

The 39-year-old pacer, who also holds the record for most wickets in Women’s World Cup, took to the field for her 199th WODI when she grabbed a record 250th wicket in a four-wicket loss to England in the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup.

Jhulan’s tally of 250 wickets is significantly greater than that of Catheryn Fitzpatrick (Australia) and Anisa Mohammed (West Indies), both of whom sit joint-second for most wickets in women’s ODI with 180 wickets.

Catheryn first achieved her 180-wicket haul in 2007 when she grabbed two scalps in the final of a 2007 Quadrangular series against New Zealand women. The match turned out to be the final bow for Australia women’s most successful bowler in 50-overs cricket.

Anisa Mohammed would go on to match Catheryn Fitzpatrick’s tally with a two-wicket haul against India women in the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup. The 33-year-old off-break bowler reached 180 wickets in 139 matches - 30 games more than the retired Catheryn.

Anisa is also the record holder for most WODI wickets in a calendar year after she claimed 37 wickets in 13 matches in 2011. Her tally would later be matched by South Africa’s Sune Luus in 2016 (37 wickets in 22 matches).

Up next on the list for most wickets in women’s ODI is Shabnim Ismail. The 33-year-old is the leading WODI wicket-taker for South Africa women’s cricket team with 168 wickets and is one of 11 bowlers to take six wickets in a women’s ODI. Her best performance of 6/10 came against Netherlands women in 2011. 

England women’s Katherine Brunt is the fifth bowler on the list for most wickets in women’s ODI. The 36-year-old bowling all-rounder has 164 wickets in 135 matches at an economy of 3.57.

Most wickets in women’s ODI

Author: William Paul

Featured photo: AFP / MICHAEL BRADLEY