ICC ODI Rankings: Jemimah Rodrigues records career-best rating, Sophie Ecclestone stays on top among bowlers

India’s talented batter, Jemimah Rodrigues, has climbed three places to achieve a career-best 19th position in the latest ICC Women’s ODI Rankings released on Tuesday.

Jemimah Rodrigues achieves career-best ODI batting ranking

This rise in the rankings comes after her stellar performance in the ongoing ICC Women’s Championship series against Ireland, held in Rajkot. Rodrigues’ maiden international century in the second match of the series played a crucial role in securing India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match contest.

Rodrigues’ composed innings showcased her growing maturity and ability to anchor the innings under pressure, which earned her well-deserved recognition. Her performances have consistently proven her capability as a key member of India’s batting lineup. Her climb in the rankings reflects her consistent contributions in recent matches and her evolution as a significant player in the team’s setup. With this new high in her career, Rodrigues continues to be a vital figure in India’s efforts to build a formidable middle-order in their ODI squad.

Pratika Rawal makes rapid progress 

India’s rising star, Pratika Rawal, has made remarkable strides in the latest ICC rankings, advancing 52 places to 65th position. The young and promising batter made an immediate impact with scores of 89 and 67 in the first two matches of the series against Ireland. Rawal’s performances have not only boosted her confidence but have also solidified her position in India’s ODI setup moving forward. Her ability to perform under pressure shows immense potential, and with another opportunity in the final match of the series, she could further enhance her standing and establish herself as a reliable performer at the international level.

Ashleigh Gardner reaches career-best bowling and all-rounder rankings

Australia’s dynamic all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner continues to shine on the global stage, achieving a career-best second position in the ICC Women’s ODI Bowling Rankings. Gardner’s impactful performance in the first ODI of the Women’s Ashes series against England in Sydney, where she took 3/19 and scored an unbeaten 42, earned her the Player of the Match award and boosted her rankings in both bowling and all-rounder categories.

In addition to her bowling achievements, Gardner has also reached career-best rating points in the batting and all-rounders’ rankings. She retains 15th position among batters, with 604 points, and remains a close second in the all-rounders’ rankings, trailing South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp by just eight points.

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Alyssa Healy enters top 5 

Australia’s star wicketkeeper-batter, Alyssa Healy, has made significant strides in the latest ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings, climbing back into the top five. Healy’s resurgence comes after her strong performances in the ongoing Women’s Ashes series against England. In the series opener at the North Sydney Oval, Healy played a pivotal role, scoring a brilliant 70 runs at the top of the order, helping Australia chase down England’s total of 204 successfully.

This knock not only demonstrated Healy’s consistency and leadership as Australia’s captain but also propelled her up the rankings. Now sitting at fifth place with 678 rating points, she leapfrogged notable players, including her Australian teammates Ellyse Perry (666 points) and Beth Mooney (653 points), as well as South Africa’s Kapp (657 points) and West Indies’ star Hayley Matthews (652 points). Healy’s climb in the rankings marks a significant achievement for the 34-year-old veteran, who had previously reached a career-high 785 rating points in 2022. Her return to form has rejuvenated Australia’s campaign and solidified her stature as one of the most reliable players in the women’s game.

Laura Wolvaardt retains top spot in ODI rankings

Laura Wolvaardt, South Africa’s premier batter, continues to reign supreme at the top of the Women’s ODI Batting Rankings with a career-high 773 rating points. The 25-year-old from Cape Town has been in scintillating form, finishing 2024 with a string of impressive performances against India and England. Though Wolvaardt hasn’t played One-Day cricket since her standout run late last year, her consistent displays have ensured she holds onto the coveted top spot. Wolvaardt’s remarkable performances have earned her nominations in three ICC Awards categories. Her dominance over the past year further cements her position as one of the most formidable batters in modern cricket.

Top batters in the Women’s ODI Rankings

Joining Wolvaardt at the top are Chamari Athapaththu of Sri Lanka and Smriti Mandhana of India, who occupy the second and third positions, respectively. Athapaththu, with 733 rating points, and Mandhana, with 723 rating points, have showcased remarkable consistency over the past year. Both players have also been nominated alongside Wolvaardt for the ICC awards, further highlighting their impact on the international stage.

Other batters making significant progress include:

• Gaby Lewis (Ireland): After her impressive 92 against India in Rajkot, she climbed four spots to reach 16th with 570 rating points.
• Heather Knight (England): Moved up five spots to 23rd after consistently delivering strong performances.
• Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England): Now joined New Zealand’s Brooke Halliday at equal-26th with 521 rating points.
• Leah Paul (Ireland): After an impactful series in India, she surged 15 places to 32nd with 490 rating points.

Women’s ODI bowling rankings

Sophie Ecclestone of England continues to lead the Women’s ODI bowling chart with 779 rating points. Ecclestone’s performances in the Ashes series underline her dominance as one of the best all-rounders in women’s cricket.

• Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) and Megan Schutt (Australia) swapped positions after Schutt’s stellar figures of 3/19 in the first ODI. Gardner now holds 722 points.
• Kim Garth (Australia) climbed three spots to enter the top 10 with 592 rating points.
• Lauren Bell (England) jumped five places to 17th with 533 rating points.
• Darcie Brown (Australia) surged eight spots to 27th with 455 rating points, showcasing her rapid rise in international cricket.

Also READ: Top 5 highest totals for India in Women’s ODIs

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.