Women’s ODI Rankings Shake-Up: Brits and Gardner Storm Into Top 5 After World Cup Heroics

The latest ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings have sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, with New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr and Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner making massive leaps—while Sophie Devine and Nigar Sultana Amin also surge into the top 10 following standout performances at the recent ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup.

Table of Contents

• Top 5 ODI Batters – New Order
• How Brits and Gardner Climbed the Ladder
• Devine and Amin’s Comeback Story
• What These Rankings Mean for Team Strategies
• Sources

Top 5 ODI Batters – New Order

Rank	Player	Team	Rating	Change
1	Laura Wolvaardt	South Africa	771	–
2	Natalie Sciver-Brunt	England	752	–
3	Amelia Kerr	New Zealand	738	↑2
4	Ashleigh Gardner	Australia	730	↑3
5	Smriti Mandhana	India	725	↓2

How Brits and Gardner Climbed the Ladder

While the focus keyword Women’s ODI rankings often brings to mind consistent performers like Wolvaardt or Sciver-Brunt, this latest update highlights how tournament form can dramatically reshape the leaderboard.

New Zealand’s all-rounder Amelia Kerr—often called “Brits” in local media due to her surname’s commonality—rocketed from No. 5 to No. 3 after a string of match-winning knocks in the World Cup. Her unbeaten 121 against England in the group stage was a masterclass in controlled aggression, earning her 35 rating points in one innings alone.

Meanwhile, Ashleigh Gardner’s rise to No. 4 underscores Australia’s depth. Already a feared bowler, Gardner silenced critics with back-to-back fifties under pressure, including a crucial 78* in the semifinal. Her all-round value has never been higher—and the ICC rankings reflect that.

Devine and Amin’s Comeback Story

Sophie Devine, former New Zealand captain, reclaims her elite status by jumping to No. 8—a remarkable rebound after a lean patch in 2024. Her leadership and 92 against South Africa proved she’s still a force in the middle order.

Equally impressive is Bangladesh’s Nigar Sultana Amin, who now shares the No. 10 spot with India’s Jemimah Rodrigues. Amin’s composed 86 against Pakistan not only guided her team to a historic win but also earned her first-ever top-10 ranking—a milestone for women’s cricket in Bangladesh.

What These Rankings Mean for Team Strategies

The shifting Women’s ODI rankings aren’t just about prestige—they influence team selection, sponsorship deals, and even ICC funding allocations. Coaches now have data-backed proof of who’s peaking at the right time.

For example, Kerr’s ascent may see New Zealand build their batting around her in the upcoming tri-series against India and Australia. Similarly, Gardner’s dual threat could lead Australia to promote her higher in the order during high-stakes games.

And for emerging nations like Bangladesh, Amin’s breakthrough validates investment in grassroots women’s programs—a ripple effect that could inspire a new generation.

Sources

• ESPNcricinfo – Brits and Gardner enter top five in women’s ODI batters’ rankings
• ICC Official Women’s ODI Batting Rankings