6 best ODI innings in women's cricket

England v India: Final - ICC Women's World Cup 2017
England beat India in the final of the ICC Women's World Cup 2017

Since its inception in 1973, women's ODI cricket has grown from strength to strength. Though women's cricket wasn't followed by many at the beginning, it gained a global reach during the highly competitive ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2017.

Many fans don't know the fact that ODI cricket's 1st ever double century came courtesy of a women's ODI in 1997. More than a decade before it was achieved in men's cricket by none other than - Sachin Tendulkar against South Africa (2010, Gwalior).

When we were awestruck by England's (men's team) 481-6 against Australia, New Zealand Women's team (490-4, against Ireland) already holds the record for the highest team score in ODIs.

With stars like Mithali Raj, Suzie Bates, and Ellyse Perry, women's cricket has been taken to another level with a bunch of new followers. So, let us have a look at 6 best ODI innings from women's cricket.


#6: Harmanpreet Kaur, India (171* off 115 balls)

Australia v India: Semi-Final - ICC Women's World Cup 2017
Cometh the hour, Kaur came to India's rescue

The best ODI innings of Harmanpreet's career came at the biggest stage (Semi-Final of 2017 World Cup) against an in-form Australian side.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat first (42-over match), Indian team lost their openers cheaply. At 35-2 in 10 overs, Harmanpreet partnered with captain Mithali Raj to take India past the 100-run mark.

With Mithali's dismissal at the end of 25th over, Harmanpreet changed gears and began to accelerate. Her aggressive knock of 171* off 115 balls which included 20 boundaries and 7 sixes helped India post a healthy total of 281.

The blistering innings from the vice-captain put India in the finals of World Cup for the 2nd time, knocking out the 6-time champions in the process.

#5: Charlotte Edwards, England (173* off 155 balls)

England Net Practice
Charlotte Edwards holds numerous records in women's cricket

The flamboyant knock from the legendary cricketer came against Ireland team in a league match of the 1997 World Cup.

Opting to bat first, the England captain Jane Smit decide to give an opportunity to the teenage sensation Charlotte Edwards to open the innings. Charlotte dominated the Irish bowling line-up with classy ground-strokes, racking up 19 boundaries.

Sharing a 131-run partnership with her captain, Charlotte guided England to post a whopping total of 324 on the board. The best knock of her career came just a day before her 18th birthday, marking the inception of her 20-year career for the England team.

Milestone: Charlotte Edwards holds the record for highest score by an England player in Women's ODI cricket

#4: Chamari Atapattu, Sri Lanka (178* off 143 balls)

Sri Lanka vs Australia - ICC Women's World Cup 2017
A microcosm of Atapattu's knock against six-time World champions

Batting first under overcast conditions, Sri Lanka had a horror start, losing their 1st wicket off the 3rd ball without scoring a run.

Coming out to bat on a critical scenario, Chamari had a solid start, blunting the Aussie bowlers before he went on a rampage. With wickets falling like bowling pins on the other side, Chamari batted throughout the innings to earn Sri Lanka a respectable total of 257 as she finished on an unbeaten 178 at a strike rate of 124.47 with 22 fours and 6 sixes.

The highest score by a Sri Lankan went in vain as the Aussies chased the total with ease, courtesy of Meg Lanning's leading from the front with 152*. Despite Sri Lanka's loss, Chamari was adjudged as man of the match for her heroics in the match.

The gritty knock from the Sri Lankan star was the lone bright spot in Sri Lanka's World Cup campaign.

#3: Deepti Sharma, India (188 off 160 balls)

Sri Lanka v India - ICC Women's World Cup 2017
Deepti Sharma broke several records during her knock

The knock which cemented her position in the World Cup squad came against Ireland in Women's Quadrangular series in South Africa (penultimate series before the World Cup 2017).

Supported by her captain Mithali Raj, Deepti Sharma opened the innings along with Punam Raut. Both the openers bludgeoned the Irish bowlers, sharing a double-century partnership. With Punam getting retired hurt, the elegant left-hander showcased her talent with 27 fours and 2 sixes and drove India past 300-run mark.

Unfortunately, Deepti missed out on a glorious opportunity to become the 1st Indian woman to score an ODI double hundred, getting out for 188.

Milestone: With this knock, Deepti Sharma holds the record for highest score by an Indian Women in ODIs.

#2: Belinda Clark, Australia (229* off 155 balls)

NZ v Australia Final.jpg
Belinda Clark etched her name into the record books

Deciding to bat first in a league match of the 1997 World Cup against Denmark, the Australian captain demoralized the Denmark bowling line-up.

Batting on a docile Mumbai track, Belinda dominated the Danish bowlers notching up 22 boundaries with amazing foot-work and stroke-play. The marathon innings of 229* from 155 balls which lasted for 3 hours, propelled Australia to their highest ever score of 412-3.

With a mammoth total by their side, Australian bowlers dismissed the Denmark team for a paltry score of 49, thereby registering a victory by a huge margin of 363 runs.

Milestone: With this special knock, Belinda became the first cricketer to register a double hundred in ODI cricket (both Men's and Women's division) and held the record for highest score in women's cricket for over two decades

#1: Amelia Kerr, New Zealand (232* off 145 balls)

New Zealand v Pakistan
The teen sensation that took the international stage by storm

On 13 June 2018, the double-hundred mark was breached by a 17-year-old (Amelia Kerr), becoming the youngest cricketer (both men's and women's division) to achieve that unique milestone.

The scintillating knock came in the 3-match ODI series against the Irish team in Dublin. With a 2-0 lead in the series, the New Zealand captain Suzie Bates decided to bat first and let the youngster open the innings.

Having scored just 1 half-century in 9 innings since her debut, Amelia grabbed the golden opportunity with both hands. With 31 fours and 2 sixes at a mind-boggling strike rate of 160, Amelia notched up 232 runs with jaw-dropping strokes down the ground.

The skillful all-rounder also picked up a 5-wicket haul in the same match and single-handedly defeated the Irish team by 305 runs. She now holds the record for highest score in Women's cricket.

Get Lightning Fast Live Cricket Scores of your Favourite Matches only on the Cric Rocket App

Quick Links

Edited by Srihari