The upcoming ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 will mark a historic milestone for five modern legends of the game. Ellyse Perry, Marizanne Kapp, Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, and Harmanpreet Kaur will each be featured in their fifth edition of the tournament, underlining their consistency, longevity, and impact at the highest level of cricket. Across more than a decade of World Cup appearances, these players have redefined standards with their batting, bowling, and leadership, inspiring new generations of cricketers.
1. Ellyse Perry
Ellyse Perry has been one of the most iconic figures in women’s cricket, and her performances in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup reflect her status as a true match-winner for Australia. A genuine all-rounder, Perry has represented Australia in multiple World Cups and has been instrumental in their successes, helping the team lift the trophy in 2013 and 2022. Although injuries occasionally limited her appearances, her contributions with both bat and ball in crucial matches underline her big-match temperament. The 2013 Women’s World Cup in India is a highlight of Ellyse Perry’s career.
Despite an ankle injury, she performed remarkably in the final against the West Indies, taking three wickets for 19 runs and scoring an important 25 not out, leading Australia to victory. Her contributions established her as a key player under pressure. In the 2022 ODI World Cup in New Zealand, back spasms limited her participation, but her presence was still vital as Australia won the title, showcasing her integral role in the team’s balance between batting and bowling. Overall, with over 4,000 ODI runs at an average nearing 49 and more than 160 wickets, Perry has solidified her legacy as one of the best in women’s cricket. Her best bowling figures of 7/22 highlight her match-winning capabilities. Perry’s journey through the ODI World Cups exemplifies resilience and versatility. As a two-time champion and outstanding all-rounder, she has left a lasting impact on the tournament’s history and women’s cricket.
2. Marizanne Kapp
Marizanne Kapp has been a key player for South Africa’s women’s cricket team in several ICC Women’s ODI World Cups, showcasing her talent as an all-rounder each time. She made her debut in the 2009 World Cup at just 19 years old, marking the start of an exciting international career, despite the challenges that her team faced. The 2013 World Cup was particularly special for Kapp. She became the first South African woman to score a World Cup century, hitting an impressive unbeaten 102* against Pakistan in Cuttack. In that same match, she pulled off a remarkable hat-trick, taking 3 wickets for 18 runs and helping South Africa secure a vital win that propelled them into the Super Sixes stage. In the 2017 World Cup, Kapp continued to prove her worth. Her consistent performances with both bat and ball were essential in guiding South Africa to the semifinals. Kapp’s 2022 World Cup emergence was another highlight. She achieved her first five-wicket haul in WODIs with five wickets for 45 runs against England, a match that was historic for South Africa as it ended a 20-year winless streak against them in World Cup encounters. Throughout these tournaments, Kapp has remained a dependable all-rounder, making significant contributions at crucial moments with both bat and ball. Her adaptability and resilience have established her as one of the most reliable players in women’s cricket. As of 2025, she continues to be a vital part of South Africa’s squad, bringing her experience and leadership to the team.
3. Harmanpreet Kaur
Harmanpreet Kaur has been a pivotal figure in India’s Women’s ODI World Cup campaigns, making significant contributions with both bat and ball across four editions. The 2009 ICC Women’s World Cup: Kaur made her ODI debut at 20 during the World Cup in Australia. In her first match, she bowled four overs, conceding just 10 runs, and took a catch, showcasing her potential as an all-rounder. In the 2013 ICC Women’s World Cup, Kaur’s consistent performances with both bat and ball were instrumental in India’s journey to the semifinals. Kaur delivered one of the most memorable innings in Women’s World Cup history in the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, scoring an unbeaten 171 runs off 115 balls against Australia in the semifinals. This remains the highest individual score by an Indian in Women’s World Cup matches and propelled India to the final. Kaur continued to be a key player for India in the 2022 ICC Women’s World Cup, contributing valuable runs and providing crucial breakthroughs with the ball. Her experience and leadership were vital in guiding the team through challenging matches. Throughout these years, Kaur has been a reliable all-rounder, contributing crucial runs and wickets in key moments. Her adaptability and resilience have made her one of the most dependable players in the women’s game. As of 2025, she continues to be an integral part of India’s squad, bringing experience and leadership to the team.
4. Suzie Bates
Suzie Bates has been a key player in New Zealand women’s cricket, especially in the ICC Women’s ODI World Cups. She has scored over 5,800 runs in WODIs, including 13 centuries, and taken 81 wickets. Her standout moment came in the 2009 Women’s World Cup with a high score of 168 against Pakistan, contributing significantly to New Zealand’s run to the final. In the 2013 World Cup, she was named Player of the Tournament after scoring 407 runs. Bates continued to excel in the 2017 World Cup, showcasing her experience and leadership as a dependable opener. By the 2022 World Cup, she became New Zealand’s leading run-scorer in Women’s ODIs, providing stability and resilience for the team. As of 2025, she remains a crucial part of the squad with her invaluable experience.
5. Sophie Devine
Sophie Devine has been a key figure in New Zealand’s Women’s ODI World Cup campaigns, making her mark in every edition she has played. Devine is known for her explosive batting and clever medium-fast bowling; she has often turned matches in New Zealand’s favour. Her breakthrough came in the 2013 World Cup with a brilliant 145 off 131 balls against South Africa, setting the tone for the tournament and helping the team reach the semifinals. By 2017, Devine had cemented her reputation as a top all-rounder, hitting nine sixes in the tournament and contributing crucial runs and wickets as New Zealand reached the semifinals again. In 2022, her experience became invaluable, with timely runs and key wickets bolstering the team, while her leadership guided New Zealand through challenging matches. In the 2025 World Cup, Devine continued to shine, providing crucial runs and breakthroughs with the ball, demonstrating calmness under pressure and consistent impact. Across all editions, her adaptability, resilience, and match-winning abilities have made her one of the most reliable players in women’s cricket. Even in 2025, she remains a central figure for New Zealand, combining skill and leadership to influence games at the highest level.
These five cricketers symbolise the evolution of women’s cricket over the last two decades. Their careers reflect not just personal excellence, but also the growing professionalism, competitiveness, and global appeal of the women’s game. With World Cup titles, record-breaking innings, and unforgettable performances, Ellyse Perry, Marizanne Kapp, Harmanpreet Kaur, Suzie Bates, and Sophie Devine carry into the 2025 World Cup a wealth of experience and a legacy of resilience. As they step onto the field for their fifth tournament, fans worldwide will be eager to witness how these icons shape the destiny of their teams once again.
