New Zealand players gain big in latest women's T20I rankings after victory over SA
New Delhi, March 17
New Zealand's top white-ball performers have reaped the rewards in the latest update to the ICC Women's Player Rankings, following a dominant showing in recent home series against South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The White Ferns are currently hosting South Africa in a five-match T20I series and made a flying start with an emphatic 80-run victory at Mount Maunganui on Sunday. While skipper Melie Kerr led the charge with a blistering 78-run knock, earning the Player of the Match award, many of her teammates made significant gains in the updated ICC rankings.
Hard-hitting opener Georgia Plimmer climbed nine spots to 41st in the T20I batters' rankings after her impactful innings of 63. Meanwhile, Jess Kerr improved by 11 places to 23rd, achieving a new career-high rating among T20I bowlers.
Adding to the White Ferns' list of success stories, former New Zealand captain Sophie Devine jumped six places to 11th in the T20I all-rounders' list, following a four-wicket haul against the Proteas. The veteran all-rounder continues to defy age, making a major impact with both bat and ball.
The updated rankings also reflected New Zealand's dominance in the recently completed three-match ODI series against Zimbabwe, which the White Ferns swept 3-0. Maddy Green moved up five spots to 17th, while Melie Kerr climbed two places to equal 19th. Isabella Gaze also improved her position, rising three places to 61st in the ODI batters' rankings.
On the bowling front, Rosemary Mair and Bree Illing made notable progress, advancing seven and five places to 58th and 79th, respectively, in the ODI bowlers' rankings. Zimbabwe's Nomvelo Sibanda also recorded a career-high rise of eight spots to equal 49th following impressive performances during the series, highlighting her growing influence in international cricket.
New Zealand and South Africa played out the second T20I of the five-match series on Tuesday, with the latter clinching an 18-run victory to level the series 1-1.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Melie Kerr's knock of 78 was brilliant! But honestly, the coverage for women's cricket needs to be better even here. We only hear about these rankings updates, not enough live matches on TV. Star Sports, please do better!
Good for New Zealand, but let's not forget Zimbabwe's Nomvelo Sibanda! Players from emerging nations making big jumps is the real story. ICC needs to ensure more bilateral series for teams like Zimbabwe to help them grow. The gap is still too big.
As a cricket fan living in India, I love following all formats. Jess Kerr moving up 11 places is impressive! The depth in New Zealand's bowling is something other teams should worry about. Exciting times for women's T20.
Solid performances all around. But the article mentions an 80-run win and then an 18-run loss. Shows even the top teams have off days. Consistency is key, which is why the Indian women's team under Harmanpreet is so strong at home. 💪
Georgia Plimmer climbing 9 spots after a 63 is well deserved! It's nice to see openers getting recognition. Makes me miss Smriti Mandhana's elegant batting though. When is the next update for our players?
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