Major records to keep an eye at Women’s T20WC 2026
Plenty of big milestones are on the horizon at the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
As the attention turns to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 in England and Wales, the world’s finest T20I sides are gearing up to leave their mark.
The 10th edition of the tournament is already bound to be the biggest-ever with the most number of participating teams ever (12) to go with a record-prize money pool up for grabs.
While the tournament is expected to be the most closely-contested T20 World Cup ever, a host of records that can be broken at the big stage adds to the anticipation.
We look at the major milestones that can be crossed at the upcoming marquee event.
WT20WC: Ellyse Perry, Australia's key all-rounder
A historic half-century for Perry
Australia’s superstar all-rounder Ellyse Perry has the most appearances in the tournament history (47) and is on the verge of a historic T20 World Cup record.
Perry is three games away from becoming the first-ever player across men’s and women’s cricket to play 50 games in the tournament history.
Perry will walk into the event as the most successful player having been part of six title-winning Australian squads. The 35-year-old is among the seven players at the upcoming tournament, who have featured in all nine previous editions.
10th postcard
Other than Perry, Harmanpreet Kaur (India), Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka), Marizanne Kapp (South Africa), Stafanie Taylor (West Indies), Sophie Devine and Suzie Bates (New Zealand) will also mark their 10th tour in as many editions of the tournament.
Women's T20WC Greatest Moments: Harmanpreet Kaur hits India Women's maiden T20I hundred
200 for Kaur
India captain Harmanpreet Kaur is four matches short of becoming the first-ever player with 200 appearances in T20I history (men and women).
Kaur, who has played 196 games for India, coincidentally made her T20I debut for India at the Women’s T20 World Cup in 2009, which was also played in England.
Every Megan Schutt wicket | WT20WC 2024
Half-century of wickets
Australia’s experienced pacer Megan Schutt needs only two wickets to reach the 50-mark at the Women’s T20 World Cup.
Schutt, who has played in five editions of the tournament, holds a staggering record of 48 scalps from 29 outings, averaging 11.72 and boasting an economy of 5.65.
Also nearing the elusive mark is South Africa’s searing pacer, Shabnim Ismail, who marked a comeback into the squad for the marquee event this summer. Ismail, who also played in the first edition of the T20 World Cup in 2009, has 43 wickets from 32 matches in the tournament.
Best of Suzie Bates | Women's T20WC 2023
Best of Suzie Bates for New Zealand at the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2023
Bates closing in on 5000
New Zealand legend Suzie Bates has already announced the upcoming tournament will be her last.
A titan of the game, Bates is 280 runs away from becoming the first player to score 5000 T20I runs (in men’s and women’s cricket).
Having made her debut in 2007, th White Ferns opener has amssed her runs in 183 matches. This includes a century and 28 fifties.
Centurions galore
Three captains at the upcoming event - Laura Wolvaardt, Hayley Matthews and Chamari Athpaththu - have three T20I hundreds to their names.
As the runs fly off their blade, the trio will be in contention to equal the tally for most triple digit scores in the format, which is currently led by UAE’s Esha Oza (5).
Sophie Ecclestone | England's dominant spinner | 100% Cricket
Ecclestone nearing 150
England’s ace spinner Sophie Ecclestone will be a trump card for the hosts. Her incredible returns of 144 wickets from 104 matches validates the faith England have placed in her, and Ecclestone will become the first-ever England bowler to clinch 150 Women’s T20I wickets.
New Zealand lift the trophy! | Final | WT20WC 2024
Two in a row for White Ferns?
For the defending champions, New Zealand, the task at hand offers the opportunity to accomplish a rare feat. If the White Ferns are able to defend their title, it will make them only the second team to do so.
Only Australia have clinched the Women’s T20 World Cup more than once, having won it three in a row on two occasions, accounting for their six titles.
Currently, India’s Deepti Sharma leads the wickets charts in Women’s T20Is, with 166 scalps to her name.
The moment Australia lifted the T20 World Cup for the sixth time | Women's T20WC 2023
Australian captain Meg Lanning and her team celebrated in style as they lifted the trophy at Newlands in Cape Town after beating South Africa in the final of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.
Aussies equalling their own record?
The six-time winners will have added motivation to add to their tally in England and Wales.
Australia had last lifted the trophy in 2023 and a seventh T20 World Cup title will mean they equal their tally of Women’s Cricket World Cup wins, which is the most successful for any team at any ICC tournament.