Australia's Megan Schutt becomes leading wicket taker in women's T20Is

Listen to Story Fast bowler Megan Schutt scripted history on Tuesday in Navi Mumbai as she became the leading wicket taker in women's T20Is. The 30 year old went past Pakistan's Nida Dar during the 3rd T20I of a 3 match series between India and Australia at the DY Patil Stadium. Megan Schutt took her tally to 131 wickets in 105 matches after breaking India's opening partnership in the decider.

Schutt got the wicket of Shafali Verma with an outswinger, sending back the dangerous India opener who was looking good 26 from just 17 balls. The ever reliable fast bowler also took a catch in the outfield soon after to help Annabel Sutherland pick her first wicket of the day as Jemmiah Rodrigues fell for 2.

India got off to a good start, but the wicket of Shafali Verma pegged India back as the veteran Australian pacer did the job for her team in the crunch tie i front of a couple of packed stands in Navi Mumbai. In 2022, Megan Schutt became the second Australian bowler to pick up 100 T20I wickets in women's cricket after Ellyse Perry.

Schutt has overtaken her teammate at some pace, having put in some consistent performances in the recent past. Megan Schutt went wicketless in the first two T20I matches of the series, but she kept it tight in her spells. The senior pacer was in fine form in the ODI series, picking 3 wickets in 2 matches against India earlier in the month.

Megan Schutt made significant strides in women's T20Is since her debut in 2012. Known for her swing and pace, Schutt became the first Australian woman to take a T20I hat trick during the 2017–18 India women's Tri Nation Series. She played a pivotal role in Australia's victories at the T20 World Cups in 2018 and 2020, finishing as the leading wicket taker in the latter with 13 wickets, including a remarkable 4/18 in the final..