New No.1 ranked bowler crowned on eve of Women's T20 World Cup
A new top-ranked bowler sees a major reshuffle on the updated T20I rankings ahead of the T20 World Cup.
England spinner Linsey Smith has continued her remarkable recent rise by claiming top spot on the ICC Women's T20I Bowler Rankings.
Smith rises to the top on the back of some excellent recent efforts against New Zealand and India, with the left-armer gaining one place to surpass Pakistan counterpart Sadia Iqbal and become the No.1 ranked bowler for the very first time.
Linsey Smith looks primed for the #T20WorldCup post an impactful Player of the Series performance against New Zealand 🔥
— ICC (@ICC) May 26, 2026
Read more 👉 https://t.co/q5aWuEtdYm pic.twitter.com/PecuZzDRbj
It's been a long time coming for Smith, with the 31-year-old first making her debut way back in 2018 and only becoming a permanent fixture for England in the shortest format late in 2024 after almost five years out of international cricket.
But a recent Player of the Series performance against the White Ferns, plus a strong showing in England's impressive victory over India in Bristol in the second match of their three-game series has seen Smith reach a new career-high rating and claim the premier position just days out from the start of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
Linsey Smith breaks Kapp's defence | CWC25
Linsey Smith sends South Africa batter Marizanne Kapp back with a beauty.
Smith's teammate Lauren Bell is also on the move as she gained a solitary spot to move to third on the updated rankings for T20I bowlers, while stand-in England skipper Charlie Dean improved two rungs to rise to fifth.
India's Shree Charani jumped seven spots to fourth following her three-wicket haul against England, with just 39 rating points separating the top 10 ranked bowlers ahead of the start of the T20 World Cup on June 12.
Charani traps Bosch for a duck to make it two wickets for India | CWC25
Sree Charani removes Anneke Bosch just after powerplay in the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 Final.
Australia's Georgia Voll hangs on to her lead at the top of the rankings for T20I batters, but there is some movement outside the top 10 as a host of player make their move.
India right-hander Jemimah Rodrigues gains four spots to move into a tie for 11th, while star Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast jumps 10 slots to equal 16th following her unbeaten 71 against the West Indies in Dublin.
Prendergast also gains one place to move to sixth on the rankings for T20I all-rounders, while Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty (up four slots to 20th) and Pakistan opener Muneeba Ali (up two rungs to equal 32nd) make some eye-catching improvement on the latest list for T20I batters.