Top 6 Best Women's Cricket Players of All Time

Cricket is a centuries-old sport that involves using a bat and ball to score more runs than the opposing team. The game is loved by fans worldwide; however, it is most popular in the United Kingdom, India, and Australia. Over the course of history, certain women’s players have risen to the top and stand as the greatest ever to play the sport. Here are the top six best women’s cricket players of all time.  

Who are the best women’s cricket players of all time?

1. Rachael Heyhoe-Flint
2. Cathryn Fitzpatrick
3. Sarah Taylor
4. Mithali Raj
5. Belinda Clark
6. Charlotte Edwards

1. Rachael Heyhoe-Flint

• First woman inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame
• Served as captain of England’s women’s team from 1966 to 1978
• First woman elected to the Marylebone Cricket Club’s full committee

Rachael Heyhoe-Flint is recognized as the greatest advocate for women’s cricket, both during and after her career. As one of the most impactful people in the game, she played a major role in promoting women’s cricket and changed the course of female participation in the sport. In 1973, Heyhoe-Flint was instrumental in establishing the Women’s World Cup, leading Britain to its first win that year. She also played in the first women’s match at Lord’s Cricket Ground in 1976. Upon her passing in 2017, the ICC announced the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint Trophy, commemorating her legacy in the game of cricket.

2. Cathryn Fitzpatrick

• 2019 Inductee to the ICC Hall of Fame
• First female player to reach 150 one-day wickets
• 2004 International Woman Cricketer of the Year

In her 16-year professional career, Cathryn Fitzpatrick is still known as one of the fastest bowlers in the world. Her technique of 75-mile per hour bowling was influential in multiple Australian World Cup victories. In her tenure playing for Australia and the Victoria women’s team, she accomplished numerous milestones that propelled her to the forefront of success. Fitzpatrick was the first woman to reach 100 one-day appearances and became the third-best wicket-taker in Australia. After her retirement in 2006, Fitzpatrick became the head coach for the Australian women’s team, leading the team to three World Cups. 

3. Sarah Taylor

• First female to play for the Birmingham and District Premier League’s male first team
• First female coach in men’s franchise cricket
• Nominated for ICC’s Female Cricketer of the Decade in 2020

Beginning her career in 2006, Sarah Taylor possessed skills as a wicketkeeper never before seen in the game. As a player on England’s national team, she was instrumental in securing the World Cup wins in 2009 and 2016. Taylor has garnered multiple awards, such as IT20 Women’s Cricketer of the Year in both 2012 and 2013 and ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year in 2014. In Australia, she became the first female to play men’s grade cricket. After retiring in 2019, Taylor returned to the pitch for the debut of The Hundred’s Welsh Fire in 2021.

4. Mithali Raj

• First female player to compete in two decades of ODI  
• Longest career in Women’s ODI
• First in most career runs in ODI

Mithali Raj is a renowned cricket player on the international scale, with one of the longest careers in the history of women’s cricket. Over the course of her nineteen years, she has become the best Indian female batter and has represented India on the national women’s team, along with teams throughout the country. Raj is the only Indian captain in both men’s and women’s cricket to guide her team to two 50-over World Cup finals. Accompanying many other records, she was the first woman to reach 6000 runs. Unlike others on this list, Raj is still playing today and has a chance to build on her impressive accolades.

5. Belinda Clark

• 2011 Sport Australia Hall of Fame Inductee
• 2011 ICC Hall of Fame Inductee
• First player to score a double hundred in international cricket
• Holds the record in Australia for test runs, ODI runs, and ODI appearances

Revolutionizing women’s cricket in Australia, Belinda Clark was influential in changing the women’s style of play. Throughout her 16-year career, she represented the Australian women’s national team and played for regional teams. Clark competed in three World Cups with Australia, winning in 1997 and 2005. She became the first woman inducted into the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame and the second to be inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. She also earned the distinction of being inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2011. Following her retirement in 2005, she now serves as the Chief Executive of Women’s Cricket Australia.

6. Charlotte Edwards

• Served ten years as captain of England’s women’s team
• At 16 years old, she debuted as the youngest woman to play for England
• 2014 Wisden Cricketer of the Year

In her 20-year international career, Charlotte Edwards made herself known as one of the best in the sport. While playing, she was the all-time leading ODI run-scorer in women’s cricket. Edwards has appeared on the international stage more than any other female cricketer in history. In 2009, she led England to the World T20 title in its inaugural year. Her accomplishments in the game earned her accolades off the pitch when she was awarded 2008 ICC Women’s Player of the Year and honored with a CBE by the Queen in 2014. In 2016, Edwards announced her retirement.

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