Did Smriti Mandhana Just Reclaim Her Spot at the Top of the ICC Women’s ODI Rankings?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Smriti Mandhana has reclaimed the number one ODI batting rank.
- She currently has 727 rating points.
- Wolvaardt and Siver-Brunt are tied for second place.
- Tazmin Brits, Shemaine Campbelle, and Qiana Joseph made notable advancements in rankings.
- Afy Fletcher rose to 19th in the bowlers' list.
Dubai, June 17 (NationPress) Indian cricket sensation Smriti Mandhana has climbed back to the number one rank in the women’s ODI batting standings for the first time since November 2019, as per the latest announcement from the International Cricket Council (ICC)
The 28-year-old athlete ascended one position to reclaim her throne after South Africa’s captain Laura Wolvaardt fell to joint-second with England’s new captain Nat Siver-Brunt, following scores of 27 and 28 in the first two ODIs against the West Indies.
Mandhana now holds a solid 727 rating points, ending Wolvaardt’s over six-month reign at the top. The Indian batting star has been in phenomenal form lately, achieving her 11th career century during the final of India’s recent tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo.
Wolvaardt’s teammate, Tazmin Brits, improved five places to 27th due to her half-century in the opening match of the three-match series, which is currently tied after South Africa rebounded from an initial four-wicket loss to defeat the hosts by 40 runs in the second match in Barbados over the weekend.
The West Indies duo of Shemaine Campbelle (up seven spots to 62nd) and Qiana Joseph (up 12 spots to joint 67th) also made notable advancements on the ODI batting charts.
In other notable movements, former Proteas captain Sune Luus scored 76 in the second match, climbing seven places to 42nd in the batters list and making a similar leap to 42nd in the bowlers list. Meanwhile, the West Indies opener Qiana Joseph moved up 12 slots to joint 67th after her innings of 60 in the first match.
West Indies spinner Afy Fletcher made the most impressive gains among bowlers, claiming a four-wicket haul in the recent contest against South Africa, moving up four spots to 19th overall in the ODI bowlers list, led by England's Sophie Ecclestone.