Stingy ladies

Click here for the women's batting shortlist

Amy Satterthwaite
4 for 13 v South Africa
first ODI, Kimberley
New Zealand had been bowled out for 127, and their place in the 2017 Women's World Cup wasn't yet guaranteed. Two crucial points that add up in the ICC Women's Championship were up for grabs. South Africa wobbled too, but somehow recovered courtesy a 44-run fifth-wicket stand between Dane van Niekerk and Laura Wolvaardt. South Africa needed 50, New Zealand needed six wickets. Offspinner* Satterthwaite came in and broke the partnership by catching Wolvaardt off her own bowling. Van Niekerk then built another stand with Chloe Tryon before Satterthwaite ended that as well. South Africa proceeded to crumble completely. New Zealand were able to take the last five wickets (in 28 balls) without conceding a run to snatch a tight 12-run victory.

Leigh Kasperek
3 for 13 v Australia
Women's World T20, Nagpur
New Zealand were up against defending champions Australia, who had beaten them comprehensively in a bilateral series just before the World T20. Australia's first pool game of the tournament was in Nagpur, and they had two full days to recover ahead of their next clash, against their Tasman rivals. New Zealand arrived in the city after a tough 12 hours of travel from Chandigarh, with stopovers in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. Looking at the Nagpur pitch, Kasperek, an offspinner, must have felt the toil had been worth it. She sent back Australia's top three, so that at the end of the first four overs they were 4 for 4. In the end, Australia's mighty line-up managed only 103, which New Zealand easily chased down inside 17 overs.

Deandra Dottin
3 for 16 v India
Women's World T20, Mohali
After making a 45-ball 40 to ensure West Indies were in with a chance of qualifying for the World T20 semi-final, Dottin showed immaculate death-bowling skills to leave India feeling sidelined at their own party. India looked settled, having made 22 in the first three overs, thanks to Veda Krishnamurthy's four fours, but Dottin dismissed Krishnamurthy with her first ball and later came back to shake up the tail - India's last five batsmen contributed only nine runs to the total.

Megan Schutt
2 for 15 v England
Women's World T20, semi-final, Delhi
England needed to achieve the highest successful run chase in the Women's World T20 if they were to have a crack at their second title. But they choked despite having the target set by Australia well within touching distance. While a combination of nerves and reckless shots brought about England's fall, Schutt, a fast bowler, contributed by building the pressure with her economical four-over spell. England, at one stage, had been cruising along at 67 without loss, chasing 133, but Schutt's canny changes of speed on a two-paced Kotla track put paid to their hopes.

Jhulan Goswami
2 for 16 v Australia
second T20I, Melbourne
After India's historic win on Australia Day in Adelaide, the scene moved to the intimidating MCG, whose big boundaries would have tested most batting sides, more so India's, given range-hitting and strength haven't been their forte. That meant chasing a low target was crucial. Goswami, the pillar of India's bowling group, set things up nicely by removing openers Beth Mooney and Grace Harris inside the first five overs, and Australia finished with a total far smaller than the one they had set India in their record chase two days earlier. Rain changed the target to 66 off ten overs, which India chased down with five balls to spare to achieve their first series win over Australia.

Click here for the women's batting shortlist

*January 15, 11.40GMT: Amy Satterthwaite bowls offspin, so the reference to her being a medium-pacer has accordingly been changed