Potchefstroom, Sri Lanka’s captain Chamari Athapaththu has returned to the top of the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings following her standout performance of 195 not out in the third ODI against South Africa. Her innings, which is the highest score in a successful chase in the history of Women’s ODIs, was pivotal in leveling the ICC Women’s Championship Series at 1-1.
According to International Cricket Council, Athapaththu’s impressive batting not only marked her ninth ODI century but also allowed her to surpass England’s Natalie Sciver-Brunt, reclaiming the number one spot she previously held in July 2023. The series also saw other significant shifts in the rankings, with Athapaththu’s counterpart, Laura Wolvaardt of South Africa, moving up two places to third after scoring an unbeaten 184 and setting a formidable target in the same match.
Further changes in the rankings include West Indies captain Hayley Mathews, who advanced seven spots to 11th among batters and to second among all-rounders, thanks to her performance of 140 not out and three wickets in her team’s series against Pakistan in Karachi. Other notable movements were observed in former captains Stafanie Taylor of the West Indies and Bismah Maroof of Pakistan, along with several players making strides in both batting and bowling rankings.
Sadia Iqbal of Pakistan also made gains in the bowling rankings, moving up from 23rd to 17th after capturing three wickets in the early matches against the West Indies. Several other bowlers, including members from the West Indies and Sri Lanka, saw improvements in their standings following their recent performances.