Mithali Raj has now become the leading runs scorer in women’s ODI cricket by scoring 34 runs during today’s match against defending Champions Australia at County Ground, Bristol.
In the previous match against South Africa, she was dismissed for a golden duck. She has been India’s mainstay for the batting line up for quite a while.
The right-handed batter made her ODI debut in 1999 against Ireland. She surpassed England’s Charlotte Edwards of 5992 runs. Mithali Raj is captaining the Indian team in the ongoing World Cup held in England. She became the first cricketer in women’s cricket to score 6000 runs. In 183 matches so far, Raj has scored 6028 runs with the average of 51.52. Her best score in ODI cricket has been 114*.
Raj has scored 5 centuries and 49 half centuries which is the most for women’s ODI. She has also the record of scoring 7 half centuries in a row before she was dismissed for 46 during the match against West Indies. Her previous best streaks in ODI has been twice scoring 4 half centuries in 2006 and 2010.
Edwards has played 5992 runs in 191 matches with the best score of 173* with the average of 38.16 with 9 centuries and 46 half centuries. Before this World Cup, she has played 4 World Cups. Under her captaincy, the Indian team reached the finals of Women’s World Cup 2005 held in South Africa. In this World Cup, she has been in excellent form scoring 3 half centuries against England, Sri Lanka, and Australia.
In today’s match against Australia, Raj played slowly but made her 69 in 114 balls and put up a 155 runs partnership for the second wicket with Punam Raut who scored a century. Apart from 183 ODI matches, she has played 10 test matches and 63 T20 matches for team India.
Belinda Clarke, KL Rolton, Sarah Taylor are the other 3 players to feature in the leading runs scorer in women’s ODI. With semi-finals spot at stake, Raj played a captain’s knock and helped India to post 226 in 50 overs.
Here we look at the leading runs scorer in women’s ODI
- Mithali Raj
Matches -183*, Runs -6028, HS-114, Average-51.52,
- Charlotte Edwards
Matches 191, Runs -5992, HS- 173*, Average- 38.16
- Belinda Clarke
Matches- 118, Runs- 4884, HS- 229*, Average- 47.49
- KL Rolton
Matches- 141, Runs- 4814, HS- 154*, Average- 48.14
- Sarah Taylor
Matches- 126, Runs- 4101, HS- 156*, Average-40.20.
