ICC Women's T20 World Cup: 5 memorable bowling performances

Deandra Dottin (West Indies) 5/5 vs. Bangladesh (2018)

West Indies were defending a modest total of 106, and they needed early breakthroughs. Shakera Selman created that early pressure as Bangladesh lost 3 wickets within the Powerplay. Deandra Dottin, one of the top all-rounders in the world, then unleashed an unbelievable spell of medium-pace bowling to run through the Bangladesh lower-middle order. She picked up a five-wicket haul while conceding just 5 runs. Four of those wickets were bowled and one caught & bowled as Bangladesh were bundled out for 46. It remains one of the most economical and destructive spells in World Cup history.

Ellyse Perry (Australia) 3/18 vs. New Zealand (2014 Final)

The Tasmanian neighbours, Australia and New Zealand, met in the final of the second edition of the tournament. For the White Ferns, it was their second final appearance, whereas for the Australians, it was the first. However, despite posting a modest 106/8, Australians remained in the game for the bowling heroics of Ellyse Perry. She picked up the wickets of dangerous Suzie Bates and Amy Satterthwaite during the middle overs to impact the momentum of the chase. She again came back to bowl in the death overs and picked up the wicket of Nicola Browne, who was the player of the series. Perry bowled the 20th over with 14 to defend, which she managed successfully, including a last-ball boundary save with her boot.

Megan Schutt (Australia) 4/18 vs. India (2020 Final)

Another memorable Australian spell in the final played in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 86,000 fans at the MCG. Australia had set a massive target of 185 thanks to Alyssa Healy. However, India possessed a highly explosive top order and already beaten Australia earlier in the tournament. But Megan Schutt utilized her lethal inswingers and clever variations to defend the total. She took a wicket in the first over and then picked three more wickets at the tail end of the innings to shut down India’s chase to secure the trophy for the hosts.

Priyanka Roy (India) 5/16 vs. Pakistan (2009)

Priyanka Roy captured the first-ever 5-wicket haul in the inaugural tournament in 2009 when she picked up five wickets against the arch-rival Pakistan at the iconic Taunton cricket ground. Batting first, Pakistan was bowled out for just 75 as Roy contributed both her bowling and catching as she picked up three catches along with her 5-wicket haul. It was just the second T20 International for the leg spinner, who ran through the lower-order of Pakistan and picked up all of the last five wickets to fall. After her effort, Indian batters completed the chase within 18 overs, losing just 5 wickets on the way.

Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) 5/12 vs. New Zealand (2023)

Another memorable spell during the trans-Tasmanian rivalry was delivered by Ashleigh Garner, who needed just 3 overs to complete her five-wicket haul in the expense of the White Ferns’ lower-order batters at Paarl. Australia’s total of 173/9 confirmed the surface was perfectly fine for batting, throwing the pressure squarely back onto the opposition. But the New Zealand chase started in the worst possible manner as they lost both Suzie Bates and Sophie Devine in the very first over. They kept losing regular wickets and then Gardner provided a strong blow by dismissing Amelia Kerr to open her account. The wicket of the highest scorer, Kerr, pretty much ended the chase as Gardner picked up four more wickets, two each in her second and third over, to end the chase at a meager 76 runs as Australia won by 97 runs.