The Women’s ODI World Cup has showcased, over the years, not just batting fireworks but also the unrivalled skill of bowlers. The tournament has been created and formed over the years by as many bowlers who have been able to break partnerships, contain runs, and perform under pressure as by the bowlers who have scored runs rampantly. Among the players who have claimed the title of the greatest ever are a handful of the greatest wicket-takers, the players who have done the most in being paid back on the world stage.
Below, we present the leading wicket-takers of the Women’s ODI World Cup and highlight the numbers and legacies of those who played.
1. Jhulan Goswami (India)—43 wickets in 34 matches
Jhulan Goswami is undoubtedly a cut above the rest in the Women’s ODI World Cup record books for bowling. Over her career spanning from 2005 to the 2022 World Cup, she took 43 wickets in 34 games. The ability to swing the ball both ways, unwavering accuracy, and fitness made her India’s go-to weapon during every World Cup she played.
Strike Rate: ~ 37.74
Economy: ~ 3.45
Role: Early-overs breakthrough and death-overs control
Her ability to be the one to break tough partnerships and graveyard spells of girls under pressure made her irreplaceable. She consistently got the top/middle-order batters at key times, providing the spark that changed momentum in India’s favor. She was able to endure playing in five World Cup tournaments, and this is a reflection of her fitness, ability to adapt to different conditions, and mental fortitude.
2. Lyn Fullston (Australia)—39 wickets in 20 matches
From Australia, this leg-spinner was a force of nature in the ’80s era of the Women’s World Cup. Across the three tournaments in 1982, 1986, & 1988, she took 39 wickets in 20 matches, utilising her natural leg break, flight, and variation to disrupt batters and dominate with the ball.
Average: ~ 11.94
Economy: ~ 2.22
Fullston was a type of bowler who did not give batters a break, always attacking the batting side and creating pressure without ever going for easy runs. Her unique ability to get turn, use flight, and constantly have batters thinking made her the most feared bowler of her time.
3. Carole Hodges (England)—37 wickets in 24 matches
Carole (Caroline) Hodges provided a reliable and steady seam option for England in World Cups from 1982 to 1993. Her total of 37 wickets in 24 matches highlights not only penetrative capabilities but also consistency across World Cups.
Best Figures: 4/3
Strengths: Seam movement, tactical variation, pressure building.
Hodges was rarely the quickest but had subtle seam movement, length control, and an instinctively well-judged tactical sense. She was frequently able to find a wicket when England needed a breakthrough.
momentum.
4. Clare Taylor (England)—36 wickets in 26 matches
Clare Taylor played in three World Cups between 1988 nd 2005, making her a consistent and reliable option throughout her lengthy tenure in the England team. Across 26 matches, she captured 36 wickets and was often interchangeable between a stock and an attacking bowling option.
Best Figures: 4/13
Economy: ~ 2.10
Taylor’s accuracy of line and length established her as a bowler who built pressure. She bowled several long spells, maintaining one end consistently, to induce batters to create the pressure release at the other end. Her ability to adapt to different conditions (seaming English tracks vs flatter overseas) was a large part of her success.
5. Shabnim Ismail (South Africa)—36 wickets in 25 matches
The fierce Shabnim Ismail has been a force of power and pace for South Africa. She took 36 wickets from 25 World Cup matches between 2009 and 2022.
Strike Rate: ~ 32.83
Style: Raw pace, bounce, aggression
Ismail’s main weapon is her ability to trouble batters with speed, commitment, and a short ball. She is generally used as a strike option in the middle overs to create a break in partnerships. Under pressure, she has created key breakthroughs in all types of matches, not just knockout.
6. Anya Shrubsole (England)—34 wickets in 23 matches
The left-arm fast bowler Anya Shrubsole made her mark in World Cups from 2009 to 2022, taking 34 wickets in 23 matches.
Best Figures: 6/46 (2017 final vs India)
Economy: ~ 4.21
Strike Rate: ~ 29.00
Her crowning moment was in the 2017 final when she ripped through India’s batting line-up with 6/46 when the pressure was on. Shrubsole has an intricate combination of pace, swing, and control and approaches her game tactically. She also possesses an ability to perform when England needs her most in chases, in the death overs, and when a breakthrough is needed.
7. Megan Schutt (Australia)—34 wickets in 23 matches
Megan Schutt is a reliable swing and seam bowler for Australia on the World Cup stage, taking 34 wickets in 23 matches from 2013 to 2022.
Style: Seam movement, disciplined lines, subtle variation
Economy: ~ 4.43
Strike Rate: ~ 35.08
Schutt is a wicket-taking option and a bowler who maintains pressure by not conceding runs. Her ability to take wickets in key middle overs is another reason for Australia’s domination in multiple campaigns.
8. Cathryn Fitzpatrick (Australia)—33 wickets in 25 matches
Cathryn Fitzpatrick was among the quickest women bowlers of her generation in the women’s game. She took 33 wickets from 25 World Cup matches in her World Cup appearances from 1993 to 2005.
Strike rate: ~ 41.15
Role: Early breakthrough specialist
Fitzpatrick’s raw speed often provided Australia with an early opportunity. Fitzpatrick’s approach, often aggressive and willing to confront batters, helped establish the feel of the Australian bowling attack for years to come.
9. Sharon Tredrea (Australia)—32 wickets in 28 matches
Sharon Tredrea, who was a reliable seam bowler for Australia from 1973 to 1988, took 32 wickets in her 28 World Cup appearances.
Style: Reliable seam bowling, disciplined spells, doggedness
While Tredrea may not have achieved the flashiest of stats, her ability to consistently deliver long spells, keep her economy respectable and claim key wickets at important parts of the game solidified her as a backbone to all early women’s World Cups. She was integral to building a foundation for Australia’s dominance in the women’s game.
10. Marizanne Kapp (South Africa)—32 wickets in 22 matches
A versatile all-rounder, Marizanne Kapp has proved to be a multifaceted asset for South Africa. During her World Cup appearances, Kapp has taken 32 wickets in 22 matches.
Strike Rate: ~30.09
Economy: ~4.56
Skillset: Swing, seam, variations, control
Kapp uses pace, clever variation, and a shrewd cricketing brain. She is often used to bowl during the pressure phases of middle overs and death overs and also to break partnerships. The ability to perform with bat and ball in conjunction makes Kapp an invaluable addition to her side, and she showed she could deliver under pressure with her World Cup bowling records.
Comparative Insights & Patterns
Length of Career—Many high wicket-takers have played through multiple cycles of World Cups (e.g., Goswami, Clare Taylor).
Role Specialisation—The top names have bowlers who were specialist options (Goswami, Fullston, Ismail) and all-rounders (Kapp), but most players performed purely as bowlers.
Variations in Era—Previous World Cups had lower economy rates, and bowling was tighter, but more runs are scored now, as well as attacking bowling options.
Strike, Control & Versatility—The best bowlers combined wicket-taking ability (strike rate) with acceptable economy rates and the adaptability to bowl on varying wicket types and scenarios in matches.
These bowlers were not just heroes of statistics; their stories, moments, and spells were pivotal in matches, swung titles, and inspired future generations.
Legacy & Influence
These exceptional wicket-takers are breaking new ground:
They have become role models for young bowlers wishing to perform on the world stage.
Their repeated ability to adapt to all kinds of pitches, conditions, and eras not only provides tactical insights into the idea that bowling is more than pace or spin but also requires an ability to read the game. Many contributed significantly off the field by mentoring, coaching, and advocating for women’s cricket.
For example, Jhulan Goswami is frequently referred to in discussions about role models for Indian fast bowlers. The 2017 final spell delivered by Anya Shrubsole will not be forgotten, with many fans referring to it as evidence that something so great can happen in one bowling spell during a whole tournament.
Marizanne Kapp is the perfect example today of a bowler constantly involved in World Cups, contributing valuable experience across eras.