ICC Women’s World Cup 2025: Top five players to watch and potential game-changers.
The ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 is just around six weeks away. Most of the teams have started their last-minute preparations with a few bilateral series. While few teams will not have the luxury as they will rely hugely on the warm-up encounters to get used to the conditions.
The curtain-raiser of the event will take place on September 30 between India and Sri Lanka at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The two semifinals will take place on October 29 and 30. The final is scheduled to happen on November 02. The venue is not confirmed and is expected to be between Bengaluru and Colombo, depending on Pakistan’s qualification.
For each side, there are a few players who hold a key figure to their success. With the bat, ball, and leadership, teams will shoulder on them to bail them out of trouble on most occasions.
Let’s take a look at the top 5 players to watch out for in Women’s World Cup 2025:
1. Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
Is there anything that West Indies’ ODI captain, Hayley Matthews, hasn’t done for the team in the last few months? Every time they feature in a contest, the eyes are always on Matthews.
West Indies are batting, and the expectation remains on Matthews to score runs. If they are bowling, the responsibility again falls on the 27-year-old. When they are in a tough situation, it again boils down to the veteran to bail them out of trouble.
When they hosted South Africa in the recent three-match ODI series, she was their leading run-getter. The right-handed batter smashed 104 runs in three innings with one fifty to her name. When they made their trip to England in May-June this year, Matthews did well in the first game before getting ruled out due to injury.
For West Indies to put up a fight, the expectation will again remain on Matthews. She could also get some purchase with her off-spin on the slow and low surfaces of India and Sri Lanka.
Read More: Schedule of 2025 Women’s World Cup
2. Smriti Mandhana (India)
Smriti Mandhana has been a solid performer with the bat for India at the opening position. For the Blue Brigade, it’s vital to put a huge score on the board. The second-ranked women’s ODI batter had a decent time during the three-match ODI series against England. She smashed 115 runs in three innings at a strike rate of nearly 90 with the best score of 45.
That was her issue in the series- getting starts, but not converting them into big scores. However, before the trip, she was in great touch during the ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and South Africa. Mandhana ended with 264 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 90 and an average of 52.80 with one fifty and one century.
With 4588 runs in 105 innings of her 12-year-long ODI career, Mandhana has celebrated several records. India will hope to see her breaking more in late Autumn.
Read More: WWC 2025: India Women squad analysis & Probable XI
3. Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
Just like Mandhana, South Africa’s ODI captain, Laura Wolvaardt, holds the key to their success. The 26-year-old has an excellent record in the ODIs with 4519 runs in 106 innings at an average of nearly 50. Her conversion rate of 35 fifties and eight centuries could be a slight concern for the management.
During their recent ODI series in the Caribbean, the right-handed batter ended as the second leading run-getter. Wolvaardt recorded 130 runs in three innings at an average of 43.33 with one fifty. However, she struggled in Sri Lanka during the tri-series involving India, with 86 runs in three innings.
Meanwhile, her record in India during the last series was phenomenal. That should increase her confidence. She smashed 200 runs in three innings at an average of 100 with the best score of an unbeaten 135 runs. Her nine years of experience will also come into the equation for Proteas’ performance in the World Cup.
Read More: Women’s World Cup 2025: Renuka Thakur makes her way back to India squad; Shafali doesn’t feature
4. Nat Sciver-Brunt (England)
England’s current ODI captain, Nat Sciver-Brunt, has earned decent success in leading them. In seven ODI games under her captaincy, they have lost only two at a win rate of 71.42%. Moreover, she is also a vital member of the batting line-up. Overall, Brunt has smacked 4092 runs in 108 innings at an average of 46.50 and a strike rate of over 95 with nine centuries and 25 half-centuries.
During their recent ODI series against India, the right-handed batter ended as the leading run-getter. She drilled 160 runs in three innings at an average of 53.33 and a strike rate of 87.91. When West Indies made the trip, she again ended with flying colors of 121 runs in three innings at a strike rate of nearly 150.
Even after their series defeat, coach Charlotte Edwards wasn’t concerned about their World Cup campaign. She denied calling it a ‘reality check.’ Having said that, the pressure will still be on the 2017 ODI champions. And the eyes will be on their captain, Nat Scriver Brunt.
5. Sophie Ecclestone (England)
England’s left-arm spinner, Sophie Ecclestone, holds the top rank among the women’s ODI bowlers. Australia’s Ash Gardner is second on the list with a gap of 71 ratings. That speaks highly of the 26-year-old. Her average of below 20 for 125 wickets in 74 ODI innings is huge proof of how the Three Lions hold success in the middle overs.
During their 2-1 series defeat against India at home, she finished as the second leading wicket-taker. In three innings, Ecclestone picked up five wickets at an average of under 18. Her economy was under four.
This performance came after she missed the West Indies series due to injury. She went back to domestic cricket and got the mojo back for Lancashire. For their top performance with the ball, England will need Ecclestone at the top of her game.
Read More: Smriti Mandhana becomes first Indian woman with centuries across formats
