Dubai, Sept 24 (Representative) A host of spinners across multiple series showed their wares in the build-up to the T20 World Cup, and their efforts were rewarded in the latest T20I Bowling Rankings update. Pakistan’s Nashra Sundhu’s 2/20 (4) earned her a six-spot jump to eighth (691), while Australia’sAsh Gardner also jumped half a dozen spots to ninth (682), over Bangladesh’s Rabeya Khan (677)Gardner almost didn’t feature at all in the Trans-Tasman series, caught up in a freak warm-up accident with teammate Georgia Wareham ahead of the first meeting between the teams inMackay. Cleared of concussion, though sitting out the opening match, the off-spinning all-rounder was called in for match two, taking 3/16 (4) in a classy performance. On the other side, leg-spinner Melie Kerr once again showed her importance for New Zealand ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, claiming 4/20 (4) in the second outing to move four spots and into the top 20.
Other bowling moves of note include fast bowler Annabel Sutherland also entering the top 20 (19th) with a five-spot jump (632 points), with Tumi Sekhukhune of South Africa moving into the top 50 with an eight-spot jump to 43rd after solid outings in Pakistan. There was limited movement at the top of the T20I Batting Rankings, though Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield made a pre-tournament statement with a 20-spot jump to 41st thanks to scores of 64not out (43) in the first T20I against the Kiwis. Over in Pakistan, recently appointed captain Fatima Sana again highlighted her evolution with the bat, making 37 not out (23) and 27 (17) in a 22-spot jump, also moving up four spots on the All-Rounder rankings. While there was no change in the top 10 in the All-Rounder category, there was a two-spot move from Chloe Tryon to a career high rating of 204 points, moving to 13th, a spot below compatriot Nadine de Klerk.