Dubai, UAE: Just days before the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup begins on June 12, England spinner Linsey Smith has completed a fairytale rise to the very top of the women’s game.
The 31-year-old left-arm spinner has claimed the No.1 spot on the ICC Women’s T20I Bowler Rankings for the first time in her career, surpassing Pakistan’s Sadia Iqbal after a string of match-winning performances.
Significant shifts in the ICC Women’s T20I Player Rankings ahead of the upcoming #T20WorldCup 👀
More ➡️ https://t.co/yPLDjsmqOa pic.twitter.com/AyAHP1BuKn
— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2026
It has been an extraordinary journey for Smith, who first made her England debut way back in 2018 but spent nearly five years out of international cricket before becoming a permanent fixture in the shortest format late in 2024.
Scaling to the top of the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings 🏔️
Linsey Smith takes the No.1 spot ahead of the #T20WorldCup 👏
More 📲 https://t.co/yPLDjsmqOa pic.twitter.com/y5fuXY3q1T
— ICC (@ICC) June 2, 2026
Her recent Player of the Series display against New Zealand, followed by a strong showing in England’s impressive victory over India in Bristol, has propelled her to a new career-high rating at the perfect moment.
Smith is not the only England bowler on the move. Lauren Bell gained one spot to rise to third, while stand-in captain Charlie Dean improved two rungs to fifth. India’s Shree Charani jumped seven places to fourth following her three-wicket haul against England. Remarkably, just 39 rating points separate the top ten bowlers heading into the World Cup.
Among batters, Australia’s Georgia Voll remains at the summit. India’s Jemimah Rodrigues gained four spots to tie for 11th, while Ireland all-rounder Orla Prendergast jumped ten slots to equal 16th after an unbeaten 71 against the West Indies.
Prendergast also rose to sixth in the all-rounder rankings. Other notable gains include Bangladesh captain Nigar Sultana Joty (up four to 20th) and Pakistan opener Muneeba Ali (up two to equal 32nd).
