Inaugural MetroBank One Day Cup (2025): Women’s top ten batters strike rates and averages in both leagues
As might have been expected, professional batters scored at faster rates for ‘league one’ with highest ranked individuals scoring fastest for the shorter format of the game; even though the standard ODI ‘power play’ is longer (60 balls versus 36 balls for t20.) Freya Kemp (pictured) scored the fastest century during the group stage for fifty overs. Separately, International player Gaby Lewis (ROI) went on to score a match-winning 141*not out (from 143 balls) during the ‘league one’ final (Lancs vs Hants.)
For fair comparison, all analysis was confined to the top four qualifying teams competing in each ‘group stage’ where batters scored a season’s total of at least fifty runs. ODI strike rates of above 100 are ‘good;’ for England players. Guest International batters are most effective in finals. An individual batter’s strike rate is defined as a percentage of the total number of runs scored divided by balls faced per innings.
MetroBank women’s One Day Cup ‘league one’ strike rates, averages and top scores
*Strike rates were analysed in more detail for Hants, Surrey and The Blaze, as qualifiers – also Lancs women as trophy winners. *That revealed the top ten ‘league one’ batter’s strike rates from the top four qualifying teams after playing fourteen-matches to qualify beyond the group-stage:-
Freya Kemp (Hampshire-w) sr123 (ave 69) best 109(from 92 balls) vs The Blaze on July 30;
Emma Jones (Surrey-w) sr113 (ave 81) best 106(60) vs Essex on June 12;
Alice Davidson-Richards (Surrey-w/Eng A) sr 107 (ave 69) best 107(88) vs Essex on Sept 10;
Jemima Spence (Surrey-w) sr107 (ave 25) best 68(63) vs Durham Cricket on Sept 13;
Maddy Green (The Blaze/NZ-w) sr104 (ave 59) best 97(90) vs Somerset on May 20;
Marie Kelly (The Blaze) sr104 (ave 34) best 66(61) vs Bears on July 24;
Danni Wyatt-Hodge (Surrey-w/Eng) sr102 (ave 24) best 44(35) vs Somerset on May 11;
Paige Scholfield (Surrey-w/EngA) sr102 (ave 52) best 63(48) vs Somerset on May 30;
Sophie Ecclestone (Lancs-w/Eng) sr101 (ave 26) best 50(49) vs Bears on May 14;
Kirstie Gordon (The Blaze/EngA) sr100 (ave 19) best 26(20) vs Surrey on May 14;
MetroBank women’s One Day Cup ‘league two’ strike rates, averages and top scores
*Strike rates were analysed in more detail for Steelbacks, Glamorgan, Middlesex as qualifiers – also Yorks women as eventual trophy winners. *That revealed the top ten ‘league two’ batter’s strike rates taken from the top four qualifying teams after nine-matches of the group-stage:-
1. Ami Campbell (Yorks-w) sr148 (ave 83) best score: 165*not out (from 105) vs Falcons on 3 May 2025;
2. Emma Jones (Glam-w/Surrey loan) sr145 (ave 147) best 147*n(101) vs Middx on 27 April;
3. Lauren Winfield-Hill (Yorks-w) sr129 (ave 85) best 194(126) vs Kent (Horses) on 30 August;
4. Saskia Horley (Middx-w/Scots) sr110 (ave 68) best 114(105) vs Foxes on 16 August;
6. Beth Gammon; Glam-w) sr110 (ave 65) best 129*n (101) vs Glos on 3 May;
7. Sterre Kalis (Yorks-w/Bears/NL); sr095 (ave 42) best 51(55) vs Middx on 19 April;
8. Finty Trussler (Middx-w) sr091; best 137*n (138) vs Glos on 15 May;
9. Alicia Presland (Steelbacks-w) sr091 (ave 23) best 37(26) vs Glos on 27 April;
10. Daisy Jeanes (Glam-w) sr089 (ave 75) best 115(from 113) vs Falcons on 15 May;
Comment: High strike rates with low average indicates greatest risk-reward. Aggressive high-risk batters with higher-than-average strike rates in limited overs cricket are important: when compared to Test cricket that very few women would ever get to play. As a guide, visiting overseas professionals playing in ‘league one’ teams and ‘league one’ professionals loaned to ‘league two’ teams were expected to notch-up higher-than-average strike rates. Overall, expectations were achieved.
Latest MetroBank – League One Fixtures for 2026 @url:fixtures @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/12/17/metro-bank-one-day-cup-league-one-fixtures-for-2026-1-of-4/
Latest MetroBank – League Two Fixtures for 2026 @url:fixtures @url: http://4theloveofsport.co.uk/2025/12/17/metro-bank-one-day-cup-league-two-fixtures-for-2026-2-of-4/
