The ICC Women's ODI World Cup has historically served as a stage for some of the most extraordinary bowling talents in the sport. Over the decades, bowlers have been pivotal in shaping matches, often turning the tide of a game with decisive breakthroughs and meticulous control. Right ahead of the Women's ODI World Cup 2025, which is slated to kick off from September 30, let's have a look at the leading wicket-takers in the tournament's history:
Jhulan Goswami (India)
Leading this elite group is Indian pace legend Jhulan Goswami, who holds the record with 43 wickets across 34 World Cup matches between 2005 and 2022. Renowned for her relentless pace and exceptional ability to swing the ball both ways, Goswami served as India's linchpin with the ball for nearly two decades. Her legacy extends beyond mere numbers, defined by her consistency under pressure—she was masterful at breaking crucial partnerships and delivering breakthroughs at the most pivotal moments. Her remarkable career statistics, including a strike rate of 37.74 and an economy of 3.45, cement her status as one of the most efficient bowlers in the tournament's history, a true testament to her endurance and skill across multiple World Cup campaigns.
Lyn Fullston (Australia)
Australian leg-spinner Lyn Fullston made a significant impact in the 1980s, claiming 39 wickets in just 20 matches between 1982 and 1988. Fullston was not only a masterful leg-spinner but possessed incredible control and an uncanny ability to exploit even the slightest error from the batters. With an astonishing career average of 11.94 and an economy rate of just 2.22, Fullston was a bowler who did not just attack relentlessly but also suffocated the opposition's scoring, establishing her as one of the most feared bowlers of her era.
Carole Hodges (England)
England's Carole Hodges secured 37 wickets in 24 World Cup matches across the period from 1982 to 1993. Hodges' seam bowling was defined by sharp movement off the pitch and astute tactical awareness. Her exceptional standout spell of 4/3 clearly highlights her capability to dominate games with sheer precision. Hodges skillfully combined the ability to take wickets with maintaining an excellent economy, consistently building pressure that often forced errors and led to wickets at the other end. Her contribution to England’s bowling strategy during a highly competitive era of women’s cricket was immense, as she reliably provided crucial breakthroughs.
Clare Taylor (England)
England's Clare Taylor, whose career spanned from 1988 to 2005, exemplified consistency and longevity, taking 36 wickets in 26 matches. Her best figures of 4/13 and an impressive economy rate of 2.10 are testaments to her disciplined line and length, which allowed her to stifle the run flow and generate wicket-taking opportunities. Taylor's ability to maintain pressure over long spells made her invaluable to the England side, often inducing mistakes from batters. Her sustained performances reflect not only her bowling skill but also a high cricketing intelligence that enabled her to adapt to various conditions and batters over nearly two decades of World Cup play.
Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)
Shabnim Ismail of South Africa has been a fearsome force in the tournament since 2009, claiming 36 wickets in 25 matches up to 2022. Renowned for her express pace, formidable bounce, and highly aggressive style, Ismail has consistently troubled top-order batters globally. Her effectiveness goes beyond raw speed, as her tactical acumen allows her to bowl brilliantly in crucial moments, often delivering breakthroughs that successfully shift momentum. Her excellent strike rate of 32.83 clearly underscores her ability to take wickets at regular intervals, establishing her as South Africa's most potent attacking option in World Cup cricket.
Anya Shrubsole (England)
England's fast bowler, Anya Shrubsole, has left her indelible mark with 34 wickets in 23 World Cup matches from 2009 to 2022. Known for her fiery pace, ability to swing the ball, and knack for striking under pressure, Shrubsole has consistently delivered in high-stakes matches, including knockout encounters. Her incredible career-best figures of 6/46 against India in the 2017 Women’s ODI World Cup final perfectly demonstrate her capacity to dominate batting line-ups single-handedly. With an economy of 4.21 and a strike rate of 29.00, she combines aggression with tactical intelligence, reliably providing England with decisive breakthroughs at critical junctures.
Megan Schutt (Australia)
Megan Schutt of Australia, who played from 2013 to 2022, also sits on the list with 34 wickets in 23 matches. Schutt’s greatest strengths are her swing and accuracy, which make her a relentless bowler capable of controlling games. She possesses a unique talent for picking up wickets without needing to overpower batters with sheer pace. Known for her remarkable consistency, Schutt builds pressure through disciplined bowling, often forcing batters into risky shots. Her economy rate of 4.43 and strike rate of 35.08 illustrate her dual role as both a dedicated wicket-taker and a bowler who effectively keeps the opposition's scoring in check, making her an invaluable asset for Australia.
Cathryn Fitzpatrick (Australia)
Cathryn Fitzpatrick of Australia, widely regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in the history of women's cricket, claimed 33 wickets in 25 World Cup matches between 1993 and 2005. Fitzpatrick's defining characteristics were her raw pace and hostility, which frequently gave Australia a decisive early advantage by striking quickly in the innings. Her knack for early breakthroughs, underscored by a strike rate of 41.15, highlights her consistency as a strike bowler. Fitzpatrick's aggressive bowling style set the standard for future fast bowlers and was pivotal to Australia's dominance in women's cricket during her playing era.
Sharon Tredrea (Australia)
Also from Australia, Sharon Tredrea took 32 wickets in 28 matches, playing between 1973 and 1988. As a reliable seam bowler, Tredrea's ability to deliver long, disciplined spells ensured that Australia often maintained control throughout their games. Her consistent performances demonstrated a capability to deliver truly match-impacting spells. Her excellent economy and consistency made her a cornerstone of the team’s early World Cup campaigns, with her contributions helping to lay the foundational strength for Australia's enduring success in women's cricket.
Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)
South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has impressively secured 32 wickets in 22 matches. Kapp is known for successfully combining pace, swing, and clever variations to consistently break crucial partnerships. Her potential to dominate matches is reflected in her excellent strike rate of 30.09 and an economy of 4.56, highlighting her overall effectiveness in controlling games. Kapp's ability to perform under pressure makes her an integral part of South Africa’s World Cup strategy, as she reliably provides timely breakthroughs at key moments.