Women's World Cup 2025: One bowler to watch out for from each team

The ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 promises spills and thrills over the next month and the destination of the trophy may well come down to who manages the conditions best with the ball. From experienced campaigners looking to rewrite the record books, to up-and-comers trying to announce themselves to the world, every team has bowlers desperate to make their mark. Here are some of the bowlers who could have a big role to play in India and Sri Lanka: Marizanne Kapp (South Africa) Kapp comes into this tournament ranked sixth all-time for ODI wickets but could jump into the top three with 12 or more wickets at this World Cup. Given that she has managed 13 and 12 at each of the last two tournaments, that seems to be a realistic target for the all-rounder, who will be hoping to continue South Africa’s fine recent record in ICC tournaments, having made back-to-back T20 World Cup finals. Kapp has enjoyed plenty of success in India and Sri Lanka, with 35 wickets at an average of just over 20 in the two countries. Megan Schutt (Australia) The other veteran on this list, Schutt needs 10 wickets to overhaul Jhulan Goswami to become the highest wicket-taker in the history of the Women’s Cricket World Cup. With 27 wickets at an average of 21.37, she has thrived in India and will have a big role to play for Australia. Three years after she took the first two wickets in the final against England, Schutt will be hoping for more of the same this time around. Kranti Gaud (India) India’s challenge may come down to how well their spinners perform, but 22-year-old pace bowler Kranti Gaud will have a big say as well. She announced herself to the world in England by taking six for 52 at Chester-le-Street, the best figures ever by an Indian woman against England. Further wickets against Australia in the recent series against the world champions were proof that she is far from a one-hit wonder. Marufa Akter (Bangladesh) Still only 20 years of age, Marufa made her international debut nearly three years ago and will be key to Bangladesh’s hopes after qualifying for a second successive tournament. In the build-up to the tournament, she took the all-important wicket of Chamari Athapaththu in a one-run win over Sri Lanka, and enjoyed her best-ever figures in a win over India, taking four for 29 back in 2023. Lauren Bell (England) At 24, Bell is the youngest specialist bowler in the England squad and will be crucial to their hopes in her first ODI World Cup. A reserve three years ago, her height will be a valuable asset in conditions which will not be simple for the fast bowlers. This will new ground for Bell, who is yet to play an ODI in sub-continental conditions, but she did take two for 18 against India in a T20 in Mumbai at the end of 2023. Dewmi Vihanga (Sri Lanka) Host nation Sri Lanka will expect a lot from tall offspinner Vihanga, who only made her debut earlier this year in a tri-nations series with India and South Africa. With 11 wickets in her first four matches, including a five-for against South Africa, Vihanga has made a flying start to her international career. Having previously shone at the 2023 U19 Women’s T20 World Cup, Vihanga now has a chance to do it all again at the highest level. Bree Illing (New Zealand) Illing turned 22 on the eve of the tournament and will be looking to celebrate in style in her maiden international tournament. The left-arm medium pacer only broke onto the international stage in March this year, making an immediate impression as she removed Chamari Athapaththu on debut. Having taken two wickets in each of her first two matches, she will now be keen to prove that she can thrive in overseas conditions too. Nashra Sandhu (Pakistan) It is hard to come into a tournament in better form than Nashra, who took career-best figures of six for 26 against South Africa in Lahore just a week ago. That came off the back of four wicketless matches for the left-arm spinner but she got back in form in style, moving past 100 ODI wickets in the process. This will be her second World Cup, having played in the 2017 edition after she was the top wicket-taker in the Qualifier as Pakistan earned their place in England.

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Women's World Cup 2025: One bowler to watch out for from each team

From experienced campaigners looking to rewrite the record books, to up-and-comers trying to announce themselves to the world, every team has bowlers desperate to make their mark.

Bree Illing (New Zealand)

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