Sophie Ecclestone Becomes the Fastest Woman to Reach 100 ODI Wickets
The bowler achieved the milestone during the third ODI against Pakistan
During the ODI series against Pakistan, England’s left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, a vital member of the team, achieved a remarkable feat. She became the quickest woman bowler in history to claim 100 ODI wickets.
Ecclestone continued her dominant form, picking up six wickets in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan at an incredible average of 6.83 and a mind-boggling strike rate of 14.17. Her economical bowling saw her concede just 2.89 runs per over. England clinched the series 2-0 with the second match being washed out. For her exceptional performance, the 25-year-old was deservedly named Player of the Series.
Facing a stiff target of 303 set by England at Chelmsford on Wednesday, May 29th, the Pakistani batting lineup faced an uphill battle. The English pacers got off to a fiery start, putting the pressure on the visitors early and claiming crucial wickets. This early onslaught left Pakistan in a precarious position.
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Stepping in after the initial damage from the pacers, Sophie Ecclestone proved her dominance yet again. She delivered a masterful spell of left-arm spin, bamboozling the Pakistani batters and restricting their scoring opportunities. Her economical bowling, conceding just 15 runs in a mere 4.1 overs, stifled any hopes of a Pakistan comeback.
Ecclestone wasn’t just economical, she was also a wicket-taking machine. She rattled the tail end of the Pakistani batting order, dismissing key players like Aliya Riaz, Umm-e-Hani, and Nashra Sandhu. These crucial wickets effectively sealed Pakistan’s fate, ensuring a comfortable victory for England.
Sophie Ecclestone’s performance wasn’t just impressive in this single match; it marked a historic moment in her career. She reached the phenomenal feat of 100 ODI wickets, etching her name in the record books. Remarkably, she achieved this milestone in just 63 matches, surpassing the previous record held by Australian legend Cathryn Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick, a fast bowler, took one more inning (64) to reach the same landmark. Despite downplaying her own awareness of statistics, Ecclestone expressed her excitement about the achievement. Her focus, however, remains firmly set on continuing her stellar form and contributing to future victories for England.
“The girls know I’m not good with numbers, I’m not good with stats. But it’s amazing and hopefully, it can continue. I think the best thing for me is to enjoy it, and I play in the best team for enjoying it,” Ecclestone was quoted as saying by Deccan Herald.
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The stage was set for a dominant English performance after Nat Sciver-Brunt’s batting masterclass earlier in the day. Coming in at number four after the 11th over, Sciver-Brunt unleashed a blistering century that left the Pakistani bowlers looking utterly helpless. Her unbeaten knock of 124 runs came off a mere 117 balls, showcasing her aggressive style of play.
The innings were a true display of power and precision, punctuated by a flurry of 14 boundaries and 2 towering sixes. This dominant knock laid the foundation for England‘s mammoth total and put immense pressure on the Pakistani batting line-up.
