England’s Tammy Beaumont moves to top of ODI batting rankings

England opener Tammy Beaumont has become the leading one-day batter in the world for the first time.

The 29-year-old moved up five places in the International Cricket Council standings after making 71, 72 not out and 88 not out in the 2-1 series win in New Zealand.

Australia captain Meg Lanning drops to second.

England’s Nat Sciver climbed to 10th in the batting rankings and fifth in the all-rounder standings.

She scored 96 runs and took five wickets in the series.

England and New Zealand will play a three-match Twenty20 series in Wellington starting on Wednesday at 02:00 GMT.

‘I prefer opening the batting’
Beaumont, who averages 22.20 with a strike-rate of 108.73 in T20 internationals, said she would “love” to open the batting against New Zealand in the shortest format.

She batted in the middle order in last year’s T20 World Cup in Australia, scoring only 15 runs in three innings as England reached the semi-finals.

Beaumont returned to the top of the order for the 5-0 clean sweep of West Indies in Derby last summer and was England’s highest run-scorer with 120 in the series.

“It’s certainly where I prefer to bat, but at the same time I’ll do whatever is right for the team,” she said.

Beaumont backed opener Danni Wyatt to return to form in the T20s against New Zealand after she managed 18 runs in the ODIs.

“Danni certainly suits playing T20 cricket,” Beaumont said.

“She’s so expansive and loves going out there to play her shots. That’s the role she plays really well for England and has done for a long, long time.”

All-rounder Brooke Halliday could make her T20 debut for New Zealand after being added to the squad. The 29-year-old scored 50 and 60 in her first two ODIs against England.

She replaces seamer Lea Tahuha, who has a hamstring injury, while uncapped all-rounder Gabby Sullivan has also been included.

Agencies