Alongside men’s cricket, women’s cricket has also grown tremendously in recent years. The popularity which started increasing after the 2017 ICC World Cup took a drastic step toward the ascend in 2019 where previous records were broken and new feats were reached. Where at one end, Ellyse Perry once again scored a Test century, Nepal’s Anjali Chand registered the best T20I bowling figures on the other hand.
Here are 10 memorable moments of 2019
1. Masabata Klaas Becomes the Second Proteas to Take a Hat-trick in ODI
2019 witnessed several great bowling performances from various players, including Masabata Klass who became the second South Africa player to register a hat-trick in ODI after Dane Van Niekerk in 2013.
Her hat-trick came against Pakistan in the 2nd ODI of the series when she dismissed Aliya Riaz, Omaima Sohail and Sidra Nawaz in the 39th over of the game. With this, she became the 10th bowler to achieve the feat.
2. Ellyse ‘Incredible’ Perry’s 7-wicket Haul and Test Hundred
Ellyse Perry – This is a stellar name in cricketing circles now. The player whose free-flowing batting and fiery spells are enough to pose a hurdle for opponents has become the first player, male or female, to score 1,000 runs and take 100 wickets in Twenty20 International cricket.
During the Ashes, she maintained her formidable form with both bat and ball. In the 3rd ODI, Ellyse Perry bagged 7 wickets against England, conceding just 22 runs in her 10-over spell. She finished with commendable figures of 10-4-22-7 which is the best by an Australia player in ODIs.
The Ashes also witnessed one Test where once again Ellyse Perry left her authority. After having a double century in her name, she scored a stable 116 off 281 in their first innings with 16 boundaries where Australia declared on 420/8.
Perry scored an unbeaten 76 in their second innings as the test match ended in a draw. She was the player of the match, as well as, the player of the series.
3. Thailand Qualifies for the T20 World Cup
Thailand team etched its name in history by qualifying for any ICC global tournament for the very first time. Alongside Bangladesh, they have qualified for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup which will take place in Australia next year. They performed pretty well in the Qualifiers in Scotland where their key player was Chanida Sutthiruang. She took 12 wickets in the tournament and named as the Emerging Cricketer of the Year by ICC as well.
4. Chamari Athapaththu Becomes the FIRST T20I Centurian of Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu hit all over the park and registered her country’s maiden individual T20I century. Her century came in the first T20I against Australia. Although Australia won the game on the back of Beth Mooney’s ton, the match will be remembered for Athapaththu’s hundred which came in 60 balls. She smashed 113 off 66 with 12 fours and 6 sixes as well.
5. Alyssa Healy Smashed the Highest T20I Score
Australia wicketkeeper-batsman Alyssa Healy broke the record of the highest individual score of her captain Meg Lanning in T20s. Her hundred came in the 3rd T20I against Sri Lanka.
Her flamboyant knock helped her scoring the hundred in just 46 balls – the second-fastest century in T20Is. She hit an unbeaten 148 with 19 fours and 7 sixes off 61 balls which came at a strike rate of above 242.
6. Rachael Haynes’ Maiden ODI Century
In every team, there are one or two players who always back their respective units whenever the team need them – be it the three departments of the game! However, their contributions are sometimes overshadowed by the other players.
Like every team, Australia also have one – Rachael Haynes, the vice-captain who provides support with the bat, as well as, takes one-handed stunner. However, she has scored her maiden ODI hundred on October 7, after 10 LONG YEARS since her debut. She smashed 118 off 132 with 8 boundaries.
7. Megan Schutt Becomes the FIRST Australia Player to Take a Hat-trick in ODI
Megan Schutt became the first Australia player to take a hat-trick in an ODI. In the 3rd ODI against West Indies, Schutt cleaned up Chinelle Henry, Karishma Ramharack and Afy Fletcher in the final 3 balls of the 50th over and reached the feat.
However, in March 2018, Schutt became the first bowler for Australia to take a hat-trick in the shortest format of the game. With this, she became the first female bowler to take two hat-tricks in international cricket.
8. Mithali Raj’s 100 International Wins as India Captain
India ODI captain Mithali Raj has achieved another milestone this year. She has registered 100 international wins as a captain and became the only second cricketer to do so after former England captain Charlotte Edwards. Under Mithali Raj’s captaincy, India have won 3 Tests, 80 ODIs and 17 T20Is while Edwards successfully led England in 142 occasions.
Mithali achieved the feat in the 3rd ODI against South Africa at home. However, she has become the first WOMAN CRICKETER and the fourth overall to complete her 20 years in international cricket as well after Sachin Tendulkar (22 years and 91 days), Sanath Jayasuriya (21 years and 184 days) and Javed Miandad (20 years and 272 days).
9. Nepal’s Anjali Chand Registers the Best T20I Bowling Figures
Nepal’s Anjali Chand registered the best bowling figures in the shortest format of the game. She achieved the milestone during the game against the Maldives in the South Asian Games where she finished with the figures of 2.1-2-0-6, including a hat-trick. With this, she became the first-ever cricketer, male or female to do so.
10. Shafali ‘Stunning’ Verma – The New Member in the Indian Dressing Room
Shafali Verma – the name came in the limelight during a domestic match in the 2018-19 senior women’s inter-state T20 tournament. She smashed 128 off 56 balls against Nagaland. However, she ensured the focus stays on her only and on the back of a successful domestic season, she earned the ticket to the Velocity team in the Women’s T20 Challenge played in May.
She impressed everyone with her power-hitting and within no time, earned her maiden call-up as well. From South Africa series to West Indies and against Australia A, she has already shown us her fearless approach. She became the youngest Indian cricketer to play T20I cricket when she made her debut against South Africa in October.
However, while playing against the West Indies in their backyard in November, she became the youngest Indian to make an international half-century, breaking the record of legend Sachin Tendulkar. Not only this, she has recently smashed 124 off 78 while playing for India A against Australia A in Australia.
