If batters light up The Hundred with runs and sixes, it is the bowlers who bring balance, drama, and match-turning brilliance. The Women’s Hundred 2025 was no exception, delivering fiery spells, clever variations, and moments of sheer bowling dominance that left crowds on the edge of their seats. From pace spearheads rattling stumps to spinners weaving webs of deception, bowlers played a decisive role in shaping the course of the tournament.
This season’s race for the top wicket-takers highlighted not only skill but also temperament under pressure, as bowlers consistently outsmarted some of the best batters in the game. In this article, we turn the spotlight on the Top 5 wicket-takers of The Women’s Hundred 2025, the players who led from the front, made breakthroughs when it mattered most, and proved that bowling remains just as much of a spectacle as power-hitting in the shortest format.
1. Lauren Bell (Southern Brave)
Leading the charts in The Women’s Hundred 2025, Lauren Bell was the standout bowler of the season, combining pace, accuracy, and discipline to devastating effect. In 9 innings, she claimed an impressive 19 wickets, conceding just 161 runs at a miserly economy of 5.39. Her finest performance came against Welsh Fire, where she ripped through the batting order with a sensational spell of 4/6, one of the most memorable bowling efforts of the tournament.
A Brave stalwart since the competition’s inception, Bell has steadily built her reputation as one of the most reliable strike bowlers in the league. With 60 wickets to her name, including her career-best spell of 4/6 this season, she continues to set the standard for fast bowling in the Women’s Hundred.
2. Annabel Sutherland (Northern Superchargers)
A proven match-winner with the ball, Annabel Sutherland was one of the standout performers in The Women’s Hundred 2025. Across 10 innings, the Northern Superchargers’ all-rounder picked up 16 wickets, maintaining an economy of 7.00. Her most impactful spell came against the Manchester Originals, where she produced a superb 3/15 to dismantle the top order. She also delivered crucial breakthroughs with figures of 3/20 and 3/40 against London Spirit, underlining her ability to strike consistently across different stages of the innings.
Since joining the Superchargers in 2024, Sutherland has grown into a key figure in their bowling attack, taking 26 wickets in her Hundred career so far. Her career-best of 4/11 in 2024 still stands as one of the most lethal spells in the tournament’s history, and her 2025 performance only reinforced her reputation as a bowler who thrives under pressure.
3. Kate Cross (Northern Superchargers)
Reliable, disciplined, and ever-dangerous with the new ball, Kate Cross made a strong impact for the Northern Superchargers in The Women’s Hundred 2025. Featuring in 10 innings, she collected 15 wickets at a tight economy of 6.49, proving her ability to keep runs in check while striking at crucial moments. Her standout performance came against the Trent Rockets, where she returned impressive figures of 3/31, breaking partnerships and swinging the game in her team’s favour.
Having started her Hundred journey with the Manchester Originals before moving to the Superchargers in 2023, Cross has brought both experience and consistency to the squad. With 33 wickets overall in her Hundred career, including a career-best 4/20 in 2024, she continues to be one of the most dependable seamers in the tournament, combining sharp skill with invaluable leadership on the field.
4. Hayley Matthews (Welsh Fire)
A match-winner with both bat and ball, Hayley Matthews once again proved her value for Welsh Fire in The Women’s Hundred 2025. With the ball in hand, she was particularly effective, claiming 14 wickets in 8 innings at an excellent economy rate of 6.08. Her best effort this season came against Birmingham Phoenix, where she produced a decisive spell of 3/21, breaking the opposition’s momentum and turning the contest in Fire’s favour.
A key figure for Welsh Fire since the competition’s inception, Matthews has consistently delivered with her off-spin, building a tally of 39 wickets in her Hundred career. Her career-best performance of 4/14 in 2024 showcased her ability to run through batting line-ups, and her 2025 campaign reaffirmed her status as one of the most effective all-rounders in the tournament.
5. Sophie Devine (Southern Brave)
Known for her explosive batting, Sophie Devine showed in 2025 that she is equally capable of turning matches with the ball. Playing 9 innings for the Southern Brave, the experienced all-rounder picked up 13 wickets at a respectable economy rate of 6.70. Her standout spell came against the Northern Superchargers, where she delivered a game-changing 3/15, using her variations and accuracy to great effect.
After representing Birmingham Phoenix in earlier seasons, Devine made the switch to the Southern Brave in 2025, and her impact was immediate. Finishing with 13 wickets in her debut season for the Brave, she proved her adaptability and reinforced her reputation as one of the most complete all-rounders in women’s cricket.
From fiery pace to crafty spin, these five bowlers not only topped the wicket charts but also defined the turning points of The Women’s Hundred 2025, proving once again that bowling brilliance is just as vital as batting fireworks in the shortest format.
