Women's ODI Rankings: Lee becomes top-ranked batter, Raut moves up
South Africa opener Lizelle Lee has moved up seven spots to become the top-ranked batter in the ICC Women's ODI Batting Rankings. She dethroned England's Tammy Beaumont after a superb run in the ongoing five-match series against India, due to which SA have taken an unassailable 3-1 lead. For India, Punam Raut entered the top 20 in the ICC Rankings for batters.
Lee tops the Rankings for the second time
This is the second time that Lee has topped the Women's ODI Batting Rankings. She earlier took the spot in June 2018, having slammed 117 against England at Hove. However, her reign during that period lasted only for three days as Australia's Ellyse Perry overtook her. Notably, Lee remains the only South African to top the Women's ODI Batting Rankings.
The incredible run of Lee
Lee has had a terrific run in the ongoing ODI series against India Women. She is the leading run-scorer so far with 288 runs at an average of 144.00. Her scores in the series read as - 83*, 4, 132* and 69.
Raut has been on a roll for India
For India, top-order batter Punam Raut has made notable gains. She moved up eight places to 18th in Women's ODI Rankings for batters. Raut slammed her third ODI hundred (off 119 balls) in the fourth match as India set-up a 267-run target. Raut has been on a roll in the ongoing ODI series. Her last three scores read as - 104*, 77 and 62*.
ICC Women's ODI Rankings for batters
Take a bow, @zella15j 💥
— ICC (@ICC) March 16, 2021
Her superb form in the ongoing series against India has helped Lizelle Lee shoot up to the top of the @MRFWorldwide ICC Women's ODI Rankings for batters! pic.twitter.com/yAU76yfl6x
Raut is fourth in the list of Indian batters
Raut, who has held a career-high spot of 13th position in the Bowling Rankings, is fourth in the list among Indian batters after Smriti Mandhana (seventh) Mithali Raj (ninth) and Harmanpreet Kaur (15th). Kaur also gained up two places among batters.
Others who moved up in the Rankings
In the Women's ODI Bowling Rankings, left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad gained four slots to reach 18th position. Among Indians, Sushma Verma (up three places to 81st among batters) and Mansi Joshi (up five places to 64th among bowlers) have also gained in the latest weekly update. Meanwhile, South African pacer Ayabonga Khaka has advanced one place to reach ninth position among bowlers.
