England’s Sophie Ecclestone Poised to Shatter ODI Wicket Record

Prodigious left-arm spinner on the verge of landmark achievement

Prodigious left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone is on the verge of becoming the fastest woman to reach 100 wickets in One-Day International (ODI) cricket. The England star, who currently has 98 scalps, could achieve the feat when her side faces Pakistan on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

Ecclestone, who returned figures of 3-26 in England’s 37-run win over Pakistan in the series opener, needs just two more wickets to break the record set by Australian great Cathryn Fitzpatrick, who reached the milestone in 64 games. Other notable players in the 100-wicket ODI club include Australia’s Megan Schutt (66 matches) and Jess Jonassen (67 matches).

“I think we got away with a few balls out there, it was really cold but it’s great to get three wickets and to get the win in the end,” said the player of the match. Ecclestone emphasized the importance of maintaining her “best ball” and adapting her tactics when needed.

England’s captain Heather Knight admitted that the team’s performance was “scrappy,” but they managed to secure a narrow victory over a determined Pakistan side. The win keeps England’s hopes alive in the ICC Women’s Championship, where they currently sit above the visiting team in the standings.

With the 2025 World Cup qualification process underway, this series represents a crucial opportunity for both teams to accumulate valuable points. England, who face Ireland and South Africa later this year, will be looking to cement their position, while Pakistan aim to make the most of their remaining fixtures.

As the cricket world eagerly awaits Ecclestone’s potential record-breaking feat, her continued dominance in both the ODI and T20I formats will be pivotal to England’s preparations for the upcoming challenges, including the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and the multi-format Ashes series against Australia.

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