ESPNcricinfo Awards 2022 Women's T20I bowling nominees: Gardner goes for gold, Sohail takes career-best figures
A stunning five-wicket haul, a medal-winning three-for, and a glut of four-fors make the list
S Sudarshanan
08-Mar-2023
Brunt force: Katherine Sciver-Brunt picked up career-best figures and her hundredth T20I wicket in the same game • Getty Images
Katherine Sciver-Brunt
4 for 15 vs South Africa
first T20I, Chelmsford
Thirty-seven-year-old Sciver-Brunt had announced her retirement from Tests just a month before, but any doubts about her fading potential were dispelled by the fourth ball of the match. She got a length ball to nip back in and clatter Lara Goodall's off stump to get things underway. In her next over she dismissed Suné Luus to pick up her 100th T20I wicket. She returned at the death to dismiss Delmi Tucker and Laura Wolvaardt, picking up career-best figures in the format and setting the foundation for what turned into a 3-0 whitewash of South Africa.
4 for 15 vs South Africa
first T20I, Chelmsford
Thirty-seven-year-old Sciver-Brunt had announced her retirement from Tests just a month before, but any doubts about her fading potential were dispelled by the fourth ball of the match. She got a length ball to nip back in and clatter Lara Goodall's off stump to get things underway. In her next over she dismissed Suné Luus to pick up her 100th T20I wicket. She returned at the death to dismiss Delmi Tucker and Laura Wolvaardt, picking up career-best figures in the format and setting the foundation for what turned into a 3-0 whitewash of South Africa.
Renuka Singh
4 for 18 vs Australia
Commonwealth Games, Birmingham
Just six T20Is old, Renuka, the leader of India's bowling attack at the Commonwealth Games, got into the act right away: she outwitted, outthought and swung out Australia's top four as they set about a chase of 155. Alyssa Healy nibbled at one she could have left, Beth Mooney ended up chopping one on, Meg Lanning hit her favourite cut shot straight to backward point, and Tahlia McGrath was dismissed by a hooping inswinger in a magnificent display. Unfortunately for Renuka, and India, her efforts were in vain: Australia ended up romping home thanks to Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris.
4 for 18 vs Australia
Commonwealth Games, Birmingham
Just six T20Is old, Renuka, the leader of India's bowling attack at the Commonwealth Games, got into the act right away: she outwitted, outthought and swung out Australia's top four as they set about a chase of 155. Alyssa Healy nibbled at one she could have left, Beth Mooney ended up chopping one on, Meg Lanning hit her favourite cut shot straight to backward point, and Tahlia McGrath was dismissed by a hooping inswinger in a magnificent display. Unfortunately for Renuka, and India, her efforts were in vain: Australia ended up romping home thanks to Ashleigh Gardner and Grace Harris.
Ashleigh Gardner
3 for 16 vs India
Commonwealth Games final, Birmingham
Ashleigh Gardner was at the fore of Australia's quest for gold at the Commonwealth Games in the final. She first had Shafali Verma caught in the ring in the third over, but the killing blow was her spell at the back end. After Megan Schutt broke the 96-run partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, Gardner dismissed Pooja Vastrakar and Harmanpreet in successive deliveries to seal the game. Vastrakar holed out to deep midwicket, trying to smash an innocuous delivery, and Harmanpreet's attempted scoop rebounded off her helmet and landed in the safe hands of Healy.
3 for 16 vs India
Commonwealth Games final, Birmingham
Ashleigh Gardner was at the fore of Australia's quest for gold at the Commonwealth Games in the final. She first had Shafali Verma caught in the ring in the third over, but the killing blow was her spell at the back end. After Megan Schutt broke the 96-run partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur, Gardner dismissed Pooja Vastrakar and Harmanpreet in successive deliveries to seal the game. Vastrakar holed out to deep midwicket, trying to smash an innocuous delivery, and Harmanpreet's attempted scoop rebounded off her helmet and landed in the safe hands of Healy.
Sarah Glenn
4 for 23 vs India
first T20I, Chester-le-Street
Brought on after a powerplay in which India had raced to 41 for 1, Glenn had an immediate impact, getting Shafali Verma caught at long-off off her fourth ball. D Hemalatha was done in on length and trapped lbw in Glenn's next. Her third wicket was the biggest of the night: Harmanpreet Kaur had just got herself in when Glenn's half-tracker slid low under her attempted pull and hit the stumps. Debutant Kiran Navgire then holed out to deep midwicket and Glenn had her first-wicket bag in T20Is.
4 for 23 vs India
first T20I, Chester-le-Street
Brought on after a powerplay in which India had raced to 41 for 1, Glenn had an immediate impact, getting Shafali Verma caught at long-off off her fourth ball. D Hemalatha was done in on length and trapped lbw in Glenn's next. Her third wicket was the biggest of the night: Harmanpreet Kaur had just got herself in when Glenn's half-tracker slid low under her attempted pull and hit the stumps. Debutant Kiran Navgire then holed out to deep midwicket and Glenn had her first-wicket bag in T20Is.
Omaima Sohail
5 for 13 vs Sri Lanka
Asia Cup, Sylhet
Offspinner Sohail made her way into the record books, picking up the best figures by a Pakistan bowler in women's T20Is. Enticing batters with generous flight, she had Nilakshi de Silva caught at cover in her first over and then struck twice in each of her next two: Hasini Perera smashed a full toss back to Sohail, while Anushka Sanjeewani missed her sweep and was trapped in front. Malsha Shehani was Sohail's fourth wicket, coming down the track to flick her to the on-side, only to be clean bowled. Sohail completed her five-for with the last ball of her third over, when Kavisha Dilhari missed a heave across the line.
5 for 13 vs Sri Lanka
Asia Cup, Sylhet
Offspinner Sohail made her way into the record books, picking up the best figures by a Pakistan bowler in women's T20Is. Enticing batters with generous flight, she had Nilakshi de Silva caught at cover in her first over and then struck twice in each of her next two: Hasini Perera smashed a full toss back to Sohail, while Anushka Sanjeewani missed her sweep and was trapped in front. Malsha Shehani was Sohail's fourth wicket, coming down the track to flick her to the on-side, only to be clean bowled. Sohail completed her five-for with the last ball of her third over, when Kavisha Dilhari missed a heave across the line.
S Sudarshanan is a sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo