Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai
Dubai, Jun 30: India's left-arm spinner Sree Charani has retained her position as the world's No. 1 bowler in the latest ICC Women's T20I rankings released on Tuesday, although strong performances from England's bowlers at the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup have significantly narrowed the gap at the top.
Charani, who finished India's World Cup campaign with 14 wickets and emerged as one of the tournament's leading wicket-takers, continues to occupy the top position despite India's exit in the group stage. However, with several top-ranked bowlers still in action during the knockout phase, her lead remains under pressure.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone climbed one place to third after claiming eight wickets in the tournament, while fast bowler Lauren Bell registered one of the biggest gains, jumping three places to fourth following her impressive performances.
South Africa's left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba moved up one spot to fifth, while Pakistan spinner Nashra Sandhu also improved by one place to enter the top 10 at ninth.
Several other bowlers also made significant progress in the rankings. South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp advanced seven places to 14th, Scotland captain Kathryn Bryce surged 17 spots to 26th, and New Zealand pacer Bree Illing climbed six positions to 31st.
In the batting rankings, Australia opener Georgia Voll retained her position as the world's No. 1 T20I batter despite a modest outing in Australia's final group-stage match against India.
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt moved up one place to joint third, while Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu rose two positions to seventh after her unbeaten century against Ireland during the group stage.
England opener Danni Wyatt-Hodge, currently the tournament's highest run-scorer, climbed five places to 11th. Australia veteran Ellyse Perry also gained five spots to reach 17th, South Africa's Annerie Dercksen improved four places to 24th, and Scotland's Darcey Carter recorded a 13-place jump to 42nd.
There was no change at the top of the Women's T20I all-rounders' rankings, with West Indies captain Hayley Matthews continuing to hold the No. 1 position ahead of New Zealand's Melie Kerr.
Among the all-rounders, Ireland's Orla Prendergast was the biggest mover near the top, climbing two places to joint third. Marizanne Kapp advanced to eighth, Kathryn Bryce moved up to 11th, while Australia's Annabel Sutherland gained two places to occupy 17th in the latest rankings.