Dubai: India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has moved up to the second spot in the latest ICC Women’s T20I Bowler Rankings released on Tuesday and is now eyeing the top spot held by England’s Sophie Ecclestone. 25-year-old off-spinner Deepti, the most successful bowler with nine wickets in the ongoing Women’s T20 International tri-series in South Africa, is now separated by just 26 points from England left-arm spinner Ecclestone.
Deepti Sharma has 737 points and has gained one place in the latest rankings. South African left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Malaba, who took four wickets in the tri-series, has also gained one place to reach third place with 732 points. If both of them continue their fine form, they will have a chance to overtake Ecclestone at the top ahead of the Women’s T20 World Cup, which begins in South Africa on February 10.
India and South Africa will clash in the final of the T20 International tri-series in East London on Thursday. India’s left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad has also gained four places to reach 14th position. There have been a lot of changes in the rankings of the top 10 bowlers this week. Australian fast bowler Megan Schutt has moved up six places to fifth and England fast bowler Katherine Sciver Brunt has gained two places to reach sixth place.
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Australia’s right-handed batsman Tahlia McGrath has maintained her strong position at the top of the rankings for T20 International batsmen. South Africa’s top-order batsman Laura Woolworth has moved up four places to ninth position. He performed well in the tri-series against West Indies and India.
South Africa’s Tazmine Britts has jumped 10 places to be at 18th position after scoring a half-century last week. West Indies captain Hayley Mathews has gained four places to reach 22nd position in the rankings for batsmen. There has been only one change in the top 10 in the list of all-rounders. Australia’s Ellyse Perry has overtaken compatriot Tahlia to reach 10th place. (agency)