Cricket is a game of moments: the roar of a crowd when a six is launched, the disbelief after a magical delivery, and the silent awe that spreads across a stadium when a batter raises her bat for a century. In women’s cricket, centuries are more than just numbers; they are declarations of dominance in a sport that, for years, didn’t always offer women equal opportunities to shine. But time and again, certain players have stood out, rewriting history, breaking barriers, and crafting legacies through sheer class and consistency.
This article celebrates the five women cricketers who have amassed the most international centuries champions who didn’t just play the game but shaped its narrative.
5. HK Matthews (West Indies)
The heartbeat of West Indies women’s cricket, HK Matthews, brought a mix of flair and steel to the batting crease. With her all-around abilities and dynamic batting, she played a pivotal role in transforming the Caribbean women’s team into serious global contenders.
Taylor’s hundreds came against top sides and under high-pressure situations. Her best, 141 vs Sri Lanka, was an exhibition of brute force mixed with calculated aggression. She’s also the only West Indian woman to score a century in T20Is, a testament to her adaptability. As a leader and batter, Matthew’s influence transcended numbers; she redefined West Indies women’s cricket.
HK Matthews– Career Stats
| Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | 2970 | 33.75 | 9 | 141 | 75.90 |
4. Smriti Mandhana (India)
The poster girl of Indian women’s cricket, Smriti Mandhana, combines grace with aggression like few others in the game. A naturally gifted timer of the ball, Mandhana lights up stadiums with her cover drives and fearless strokeplay.
Since her debut for India in 2013, Mandhana has been a run-machine, especially in ODIs, where she’s already stacked up 11 centuries in just 102 matches. With a remarkable average of 46.59 and a strike rate nearing 88, she’s become India’s go-to batter in key situations.
At just 28 years old, Smriti is still climbing and could very well challenge for the top spot in the years to come.
Smriti Mandhana – Key Stats
| Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | 4473 | 46.59 | 11 | 136 | 87.79 |
3. Tammy Beaumont (England)
Stylish, composed, and lethal when settled, Tammy Beaumont has become the face of England’s batting resurgence in recent years. Known for her ability to play both the anchor and aggressor, Beaumont’s strokeplay is all about precision and placement.
Her record-breaking 168* remains one of the finest innings in women’s ODIs, showcasing her flair and ability to dominate world-class attacks. With 12 centuries in 129 matches, Beaumont has been one of England’s most dependable match-winners.
What makes her more valuable is her adaptability, excelling in both powerplays and middle overs, while maintaining a strike rate over 76.
Tammy Beaumont – Key Stats
| Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 129 | 4487 | 41.93 | 12 | 168* | 76.32 |
2. Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
An all-round athlete who once played basketball for New Zealand, Suzie Bates is arguably the most accomplished batter in Kiwi women’s cricket history. Her elegance at the crease, combined with her hunger for runs, made her one of the most feared openers in the world.
Bates’s ODI records are particularly noteworthy; she has scored over 12 centuries in the format, more than any New Zealand woman. Whether it’s playing graceful drives down the ground or executing a powerful lofted shot over extra cover, her batting is a delightful mix of traditional technique and modern aggression.
Even in T20Is, where centuries are rare, Bates managed to notch one up, displaying her versatility. Beyond her stats, it’s her consistency and longevity that have defined her greatness.
Suzie Bates – Career Stats
| Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 171 | 5896 | 39.83 | 13 | 168 | 79.90 |
1. Meg Lanning (Australia)
When you talk about the modern icons of women’s cricket, Meg Lanning is a name that echoes with authority. Nicknamed “The Megastar,” Lanning emerged as a prodigy in Australian cricket and quickly cemented her place as one of the most technically sound and mentally resilient batters of her generation.
Known for her impeccable timing, calm temperament, and ability to pace innings across formats, Lanning was a captain who led from the front. Under her leadership, Australia won multiple ICC titles, but even without the armband, she was a game-changer with the bat. Her strokeplay, especially square of the wicket, was a thing of beauty, and she possessed that rare ability to make batting look effortless even under pressure.
Her 15 ODI centuries, the most by any woman, came against top oppositions and in crunch moments, proving her mettle on the biggest stages.
Meg Lanning – Career Stats
| Matches | Runs | Average | 100s | Highest Score | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 103 | 4602 | 53.51 | 15 | 152* | 92.20 |
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