Katherine Brunt joins Anya Shrubsole as England’s all-time leading T20I wicket-taker

Fast bowler Katherine Brunt, on Thursday, July 21, became England’s joint-highest wicket-taker in T20Is. The 37-year-old accomplished the feat during England’s first ODI against South Africa at County Ground in Chelmsford.

She finished with figures of 4-0-15-4 and won the Player of the Match award after the hosts won the match by six wickets with 30 balls left. The veteran, who recently retired from Test cricket, joined Anya Shrubsole, who retired from international cricket after England’s campaign in the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand earlier this year.

100 IT20 wickets

Joint leading IT20 wicket-taker for England

Career best IT20 figures

Enjoy every ball from a brilliant @KBrunt26 performance yesterday! pic.twitter.com/uqA0fsMpC4

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 22, 2022

Both Shrubsole and Brunt have picked up 102 wickets apiece to their names. Brunt opened her wicket column after she castled left-handed batter Lara Goodall. Thereafter, she dismissed opposition skipper Sune Luus to become the second England bowler to pick up 100 wickets in T20Is.

Brunt got rid of Delmi Tucker to pick up her third wicket, after which she got the better of the in-form Laura Wolvaardt to equal Shrubsole’s tally. On the back of Brunt’s spell, England restricted South Africa to 111 for the loss of nine wickets in 20 overs.

From there on, Sophia Dunkley scored a 39-ball 59 with five fours and three sixes, taking her team to a thumping win and a 1-0 series lead.

In men’s cricket, no English bowler has been able to pick up 100 wickets in T20Is. Recently, pacer Chris Jordan surpassed leg-spinner Adil Rashid to become the highest wicket-taker for the Three Lions in T20Is.

The second T20I between England and South Africa will take place on Saturday, July 23 at New Road in Worcester.

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