5 best bowling figures by a captain in Women's ODIs ft. Kate CrossÂ
Cricket is often termed a batter's game. However, more often than not, the bowlers are equally responsible for the team's success.
Captaining the team is a burdensome job. In comparison to batters, bowler-captains have been few. As far as Women's ODIs are concerned, a handful of captains have had match-winning spells and guided their team to a win.
On that note, here is a look at the top five bowling figures by a captain in Women's ODIs.
#1 Mamatha Maben - 6/10 (India vs Sri Lanka)
The former Indian skipper holds the record for the best bowling figures by a captain in Women's ODIs. She picked up six wickets and conceded just 10 runs from 6.2 overs in an ODI against Sri Lanka in April 2004.
In a group match of the 2004 Asia Cup, Maben, with her medium-pace, wreaked havoc and dismantled the Sri Lankan batting lineup. Her victims included Lankan skipper Randika Galhenage (bowled), Shashikala Siriwardene (bowled), Chamani Seneviratna (leg before wicket), Dedunu Silva (bowled), Chamari Polgampola (leg before wicket), and Janakanthy Mala (bowled).
Riding on the skipper's bowling performance, India bowled out Sri Lanka for a paltry total of 66 in 28.2 overs and chased down the target with 10 wickets to spare.
#2 Kate Cross - 6/30 (Englands vs Ireland)
Kate Cross had the perfect game against Ireland Women in Belfast on September 7, 2024. Captaining England, Cross picked up six wickets in the first innings to restrict Ireland Women to 210.
In the very first over, Cross trapped the Irish opener Una Raymond-Hoey LBW. She then dismissed Ireland's top scorer Orla Prendergast for 76 in the 31st over.
Cross was lethal in the death overs and picked up four more wickets, ending with figures of 6-30 from 9.5 overs.
She then contributed 38* with the bat and guided her team to a win by four wickets and 15.1 overs to spare.
#3 Jhulan Goswami - 6/31 (India vs New Zealand)
The former Indian skipper's heroics with the ball went in vain as India failed to beat New Zealand.
In a group game against New Zealand at Southgate in the Natwest Women's Quadrangular series in 2011, Jhulan Goswami was at her very best on July 5, 2011.
Frances Mackay (bowled), Sara McGlashan (caught), Lucy Doolan (caught), Katey Martin (bowled), Nichola Browne (bowled), and Kate Ebrahim (bowled) were her victims.
Despite restricting New Zealand to 201 in 50 overs, India failed to chase the target and fell short by 39 runs.
#4 Suthershini Sivanantham - 5/2 (Sri Lanka vs Pakistan)
Sri Lanka's Suthershini Sivanantham had Pakistan in her spinning web during an ODI in Moors in 2002.
On a difficult batting surface, Sri Lanka posted 182 runs for eight wickets in 50 overs. Lankan skipper Sivanantham led the way and was the top scorer for the hosts (36).
In reply, Pakistan were bundled out for a paltry 78, courtesy of Sivanantham's match-winning spell. She conceded just two runs from 9.3 overs, including seven maidens, and picked up five wickets. Rabia Khan, Batool Fatima, Khursheed Jabeen, Huda Ziad, and Sabeen Rezvi were her victims.
Even after 22 years, Sivanantham's figures are the best for a Sri Lankan in Women's ODIs.
#5 Heather Knight - 5/26 (England vs Pakistan)
Heather Knight is the second England player on this list. In an ODI against Pakistan in Leicester in 2016, the former English skipper showcased her all-round skills to guide her team to a win.
Pakistan were bowled out for 165, courtesy of a match-winning bowling spell from Knight, who dismissed Iram Javed, Sidra Amin, Sana Mir, Sania Khan, and Asmavia Iqbal.
England chased the target in 31.5 overs as Knight contributed 50* with the bat and was awarded Player of the Match for her all-round performance.