Top 7 Most Dangerous Woman’s Batsman in Cricket History (2026 List)
Dangerous batters are those who score runs when their team needs them the most. They score runs against the best bowling attacks. They score runs in difficult situations. They score runs consistently for years and across all formats. By 2026, ten women have proven themselves to be among the most dangerous batters in cricket history. They hail from India, England, Australia, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa, and Sri Lanka. Some dominated in ODI cricket. Some dominated in T20I cricket. All of them changed the course of matches with their batting. Their records show why bowlers feared them and why teams were built around them.
7 Most Dangerous Woman’s Batsman in Cricket History
| Format | Runs | Batter | Team | Innings | Average | 100s | 50s | Career Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 7,805 | Mithali Raj | India | 211 | 50.68 | 7 | 64 | 1999–2022 |
| ODI | 5,992 | Charlotte Edwards | England | 180 | 38.16 | 9 | 46 | 1997–2016 |
| ODI | 4,844 | Belinda Clark | Australia | 114 | 47.49 | 5 | 30 | 1991–2005 |
| ODI | 5,936 | Suzie Bates | New Zealand | 169 | 38.79 | 13 | 37 | 2006–2025 |
| ODI | 5,873 | Stafanie Taylor | West Indies | 163 | 42.25 | 7 | 41 | 2008–2025 |
| ODI | 5,477 | Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | 121 | 52.16 | 13 | 38 | 2016–2025 |
| T20I | 4,102 | Smriti Mandhana | India | 151 | 29.94 | 1 | 32 | 2013–2025 |
1. Mithali Raj (India, ODI)
Mithali Raj scored 7,805 ODI runs. This is the highest number of runs in the history of women’s cricket. No one has scored more runs than her. She played 211 innings from 1999 to 2022, meaning she played at the top level for twenty-three years. She maintained an average of 50.68, which is exceptional. Very few batters have an ODI average of over fifty. She did this for two decades.
She scored seven centuries and sixty-four ODI half-centuries. These half-centuries demonstrate her consistency. She regularly scored fifties and often converted them into big scores. She was the benchmark for longevity in ODI batting. Young batters learned from her technique. They observed how she played both spin and pace bowling. They learned patience from her.
She played at a time when women’s cricket didn’t offer much financial reward. She continued playing because she loved the game. She anchored the Indian batting lineup for years. When she came out to bat, India had hope. When she got out early, India struggled. That’s how crucial she was.
2. Charlotte Edwards (England, ODI)
Charlotte Edwards scored 5,992 ODI runs. She played 180 innings between 1997 and 2016, spanning nineteen years for England. Her average was 38.16, which was quite good for that era. She scored nine centuries and forty-six half-centuries. Scoring nine centuries in ODI cricket is a remarkable achievement. It shows that she could bat for long periods and compile big scores.
She was a brilliant leader and a run-scoring machine for England for two decades. She captained England while consistently scoring runs. Both captaincy and batting are demanding tasks, and very few people can excel at both. Edwards did just that.
She usually opened the batting, which meant she had to face the new ball when it was swinging. She confidently handled the quality swing bowling of Australia, New Zealand, and India. She stayed at the crease and scored runs, and England relied on her for many years.
3. Belinda Clark (Australia, ODI)
Belinda Clark scored 4,844 ODI runs in 114 innings. This is a remarkable number of runs in so few innings. Her average was 47.49, which is excellent. She scored five centuries and thirty half-centuries. Five centuries in 114 innings shows that she was adept at converting good starts into big scores.
She was one of the early influential players in the history of women’s cricket. She played in the 1990s and early 2000s, a time when women’s cricket was evolving. She was a former Australian captain who helped redefine the modern game. She showed that women could also bat aggressively and score runs quickly.
During her time, Australia dominated women’s cricket, and Clark was a major reason for this. She scored runs in World Cups and led the team from the front. Young Australian batters learned from her example.
4. Suzie Bates (New Zealand, ODI)
Suzie Bates scored 5,936 ODI runs. She played 169 innings from 2006 to 2025. This spanned nineteen years for New Zealand. Her average was 38.79, which is quite impressive. She scored thirteen centuries, one of the highest numbers of centuries in women’s ODIs. Thirteen centuries demonstrate her consistent ability to score big.
She was a consistently excellent player for almost two decades. New Zealand is a small cricketing nation. They have a limited pool of players to choose from. Bates carried their batting for years. When she scored big, New Zealand won. When she failed, the team struggled.
She opened the batting and faced some of the world’s best bowlers. She handled the pressure well. She scored runs in World Cups and against Australia, who possessed one of the best bowling attacks. This requires both skill and courage.
5. Stafanie Taylor (West Indies, ODI)
Stafanie Taylor scored 5,873 ODI runs. She played 163 innings from 2008 to 2025. This spanned seventeen years for the West Indies. Her average was 42.25, which is quite impressive. She scored seven centuries and forty-one half-centuries. Seven centuries and forty-one half-centuries demonstrate her consistent run-scoring ability.
She was a crucial part of the West Indies’ golden generation. When Taylor started, West Indies cricket was struggling. She helped rebuild it. She scored runs and bowled off-spin. She was an all-rounder, which made her even more valuable.
She also captained the West Indies. Leading West Indies cricket is challenging. Resources are limited. Players sometimes choose other leagues over international cricket. Taylor persevered and led from the front. She scored runs even under pressure.
6. Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa, ODI)
Laura Wolvaardt has scored 5,477 ODI runs in just 121 innings. This is an extraordinary achievement. Her average of 52.16 is outstanding; very few batters have an average of over fifty in ODIs. She has scored thirteen centuries and thirty-eight half-centuries. Thirteen centuries in 121 innings is a remarkable conversion rate.
She is one of the highest run-scorers in women’s ODI history. She consistently scores fifties and then converts them into centuries. She doesn’t squander good starts. She plays with sound technique and excellent shot selection. Bowlers find it difficult to dismiss her.
She is a role model for the modern era. Young batters draw inspiration from her and learn from her. She demonstrates that even in aggressive modern cricket, technique and temperament still matter. South Africa relies on her. She consistently delivers outstanding performances.
7. Smriti Mandhana (India, T20I)
Smriti Mandhana has scored 4,102 T20I runs. She has played 151 innings since 2013. Her average is 29.94, which is considered good in T20s, where averages are typically lower. She has scored thirty-two half-centuries. Scoring thirty-two half-centuries in T20Is is a remarkable achievement. T20 innings are shorter, and scoring fifty runs is more difficult than in ODIs.
She is India’s highest run-scorer in T20Is. She opens the batting and scores runs quickly. She gives India a flying start in the powerplay. When she scores thirty or forty runs in the first six overs, India usually posts a big total. When she fails, India struggles to build momentum.
She is a left-handed batter and has excellent timing. She doesn’t rely solely on power. She plays the ball into the gaps. She hits boundaries with timing, not brute force. This is why she is effective even on slow pitches.
Read More: Top 8 Longest Sixes in Women’s Cricket History (2026)