Ellyse Perry, Katherine Sciver-Brunt and more – the top wicket-takers in Women’s Ashes history

Sophie Ecclestone in cricket
Sophie Ecclestone is among the leading wicket-takers in the history of the Women's Ashes.

Australia has started the 2025 Women’s Ashes with a scintillating start, convincingly defeating England in the first ODI to take a 2-0 lead in the points-based series.

While the visitors will take some positives from the first match of the series at the North Sydney Oval, they will rue missed opportunities in the field that could have changed the finish.

The match featured three of the top 10 leading wicket-takers in Ashes history and was a low-scoring affair as both teams looked to find their groove with two ODIs, three T20s and a one-off Test match at the MCG ahead.

With both sides featuring several world leaders and record holders with the ball, the series is set fair to be a tantalising contest between bat and ball.

But who are the nine trailblazing bowlers who have taken the most Women’s Ashes wickets?

=9. Sophie Ecclestone, 46 wickets @ 27.02 – England

The number one ODI bowler in the world has been a key cog of the England team’s engine since her debut in 2016.

The accuracy of Ecclestone’s left-hand off-spin and her ability to set up batters makes her one of the most dangerous bowlers and will be her nation’s biggest threat this series.

=9. Jess Jonassen, 46 wickets @ 24.64 – Australia

Jonassen played a considerable 41 Ashes matches in her decade-long international career spanning from 2013 to 2023.

Her ability to deliver key breakthroughs and career-best figures of 4/38 makes her one of Australia‘s most consistent.

7. Mary Duggan, 47 wickets @ 14.76 – England

With a mind-boggling career average of 14.76 and taking 47 wickets in just 17 innings, Duggan’s bowling was truly ruthless.

With personal Ashes best figures of an incredible 7/6, she was a bowler capable of ripping apart any batting lineup.

Also read: The 7 highest run-scorers in Women’s Ashes history – who tops the list?

6. Megan Schutt, 49 wickets @ 20.55 – Australia

The host’s current new ball-opening bowler is renowned for her incredible control and skill in making the ball seam off the surface.

Her clean action yields results and her proficiency in all formats has made her a valuable asset for her country.

5. Molly Hide, 51 wickets @ 16.90 – England

One of England‘s most effective bowlers in history during the war period, she consistently delivered over her career spanning from 1934 to 1951.

Collecting her 51 wickets over 23 innings at an incredible economy of just 1.68, the difficulty to score off her bowling makes her one of the greats.

4. Cathryn Fitzpatrick, 52 wickets @ 18.26 – Australia

The pace of Fitzpatrick’s bowling tore English batting lineups apart in her seven-year Ashes career from 1998 to 2005.

Prizing herself on her pace and laser like precision, she was incredibly hard to profit off in the middle.

3. Betty Wilson, 53 wickets @ 12.69 – Australia

Betty Wilson was dubbed ‘The Female Bradman’ during her seismic career as an all-rounder from 1949 to 1958.

However, her destructive average of 12.69 with career-best figures of 7/7 makes no need for comparison.

2. Katherine Sciver-Brunt, 67 wickets @ 23.55 – England

Sciver-Brunt was a reliable opening bowler and pioneer in Test cricket throughout her long career spanning from 2005 to 2022.

Her relentlessness and determination to not let batters rest and dart the ball off the seam in English conditions made her invaluable to her country.

1. Ellyse Perry, 71 wickets @ 22.85 – Australia

It cannot be argued that Ellyse Perry is one of the greatest Australian sportspersons of all time.

Topping the Ashes record list in both batting and bowling while still being at the height of her career makes her truly the cornerstone of Ashes brilliance.

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