Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket records: Highest scorers, best bowling figures and other highlights

Cricket’s return at the Commonwealth Games 2022 was a special chapter in the history of the sport popular in Commonwealth nations.

For the first time in the history of the multi-sport quadrennial event, international cricket was played. The chosen format for Birmingham 2022 was women’s T20.

While a men’s 50-over format (ODI) tournament was played at Kuala Lumpur 1998, it was designated as List A cricket and didn’t get the international tag from the International Cricket Council.

Eight top international women’s teams – Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados, England, South Africa, New Zealand and Sri Lanka – played in Birmingham.

The Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket tournament got underway at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground on July 29. The 16-match tournament will concluded with the final on August 7. Australia won the gold medal after defeating India in the final. New Zealand took the bronze.

Here are the cricket records which have been set at the Commonwealth Games 2022 so far.

Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket stats and records

Highest team score - New Zealand Women 167/2 (20 overs) vs South Africa Women

In what proved to be a high-scoring Group B opener, New Zealand Women, powered by an unbeaten 91 by Suzie Bates, put on a massive total of 167/2 - the highest score in Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket to date. The Kiwis were batting first against South Africa.

In response, the Proteas could only manage 154/7 as Sophie Devine restricted SA with a haul of 3/37.

Lowest team score - Sri Lanka Women 46/10 (17.1 overs) vs South Africa Women

Sri Lanka Women registered the lowest team total in Commonwealth Games 2022 after they were bundled out for 46 in 17.1 overs by South Africa in a Group B match. Chamari Athapaththu top scored with 15. Nadine de Klerk (3/7) was the wrecker-in-chief for the Proteas.

Highest individual score - Suzie Bates (New Zealand Women) 91 not out vs South Africa Women

New Zealand opener Suzie Bates scored an unbeaten 91 off just 64 balls in the Group B opener against South Africa to register the highest individual score in Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket.

Bates and captain Sophie Devine (48 off 40) helped the Kiwis to a 13-run win.

Best bowling figures - Alana King (Australia Women) 4/8 vs Barbados Women

Australian spinner Alana King was on fire against Barbados in their Group A match and picked up four wickets for just eight runs in her quota of four overs - the best bowling figures at Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket.

Top run-scorer - Beth Mooney (Australia Women) 179 runs in 5 matches

Australian batter Beth Mooney is the highest run-scorer at the Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket with 179 runs from five matches. Her best knock of 70* came against Pakistan in a group match.

Top wicket-taker - Renuka Singh Thakur (India Women) 11 wickets in five matches

Indian pacer Renuka Singh Thakur is the highest wicket-taker in Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket with 11 wickets from five matches. Her best figures of 4/10 came in a losing cause against Barbados.

Highest partnership - Beth Mooney and Tahlia McGrath (Australia Women) 141* runs vs Pakistan Women

Australia beat Pakistan by 44 runs in their final Group A match. Central to the victory was an unbroken 141-run third-wicket stand between captain Beth Mooney (70* off 49 balls) and Tahlia McGrath (78* off 51 balls) - the highest partnership in Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket.

Biggest win margin by runs - India beat Barbados by 100 runs

India have the biggest win in terms of runs margin at CWG 2022. The Women in Blue put up 162/4 on the board before restricting the Barbados to 62/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

First half-century - Harmanpreet Kaur (India Women) vs Australia Women

The first half-century of Commonwealth Games 2022 cricket was scored by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur, whose 52 off 34 balls helped India post 154/8 vs Australia in the first match of Group A.

Unfortunately for the Indian skipper though, Ashleigh Gardner’s unbeaten 52 off 35 deliveries saw the Aussies chase the target down with an over and three wickets to spare.