Big changes at top of T20I rankings ahead of T20 World Cup

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Left-armer Linsey Smith is on the verge of becoming the No.1 ranked T20I bowler in the world after the England spinner made giant gains on the latest update to the ICC Women's T20I Player Rankings.

Smith collected six wickets for England during their recent 2-1 series triumph over New Zealand on home soil and was duly rewarded on the updated rankings as she gained a whopping 38 places to move to second spot overall.

It sees Smith obtain a new career-high rating of 730 points and move within 16 rating points of Pakistan counterpart Sadia Iqbal, who holds on to a narrow lead at the top of the rankings less than three weeks out from the start of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.

Smith may get the chance to match her Player of the Series heroics against the White Ferns and potentially surpass Iqbal at the top when England host India in a three-match T20I series at home that commences on Thursday, with Pakistan also returning to international action later in the week when they take on Ireland and the West Indies in a tri-series ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Australia's Georgia Voll remains the No.1 ranked T20I batter following the latest update to the rankings, while there is a change at the top of the all-rounder category as Hayley Matthews overtakes New Zealand counterpart Melie Kerr following the completion of the White Ferns' series in England.

Kerr failed to reach double figures from three innings against England and contributed two wickets with the ball, with Matthews moving back into the top spot with a narrow five-point advantage over the New Zealand captain.

There was better news for former New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine, with the hard-hitting veteran gaining eight spots to move to 10th overall on the updated list for T20I batters following a massive innings of 87 in the second game of the series with England.

New Zealand teammate Maddy Green (up eight slots to 39th) makes gains on the same list for T20I batters, while compatriot Bree Illing (up 45 places to equal 54th) is the big improver up the rankings for T20I bowlers.

England duo Maia Bouchier (up six rungs to equal 34th) and Alice Capsey (up nine spots to 45th) are other big movers on the updated list for T20I batters after some good efforts with the bat against the White Ferns.