From Richa Ghosh to Alyssa Healy: top five wicket-keepers in the WPL auction

In a one-of-a-kind spectacle, Women’s cricket will be staying witness to the maiden edition of the WPL auction that would set the tone perfectly for the upcoming WPL. One day from now we will have an iconic first in the antiquity of franchise cricket in India as the WPL auction is all set to unfurl at the Jio Convention Center.

The speculations are already blowing through the roof and the players who are capable of making the ripples for all the right reasons are being eyed by all the major franchises. In the last two chapters, we have delved into the best possible batters and bowlers who are likely to take the gavel by storm. Today it is the turn of wicket-keepers as we try to map the five finest gloves-women to be going under the gavel on Monday.

1.    Richa Ghosh

Fairly new to the Indian circuit but the kind of aggression that she has shown over her short span in the cricketing arcade has been nothing short of impeccable. She was in phenomenal touch against Australia in the recently concluded bilateral series wherein her hard-hitting prowess added some crucial value to the Indian line-up in the latter half of the innings. If there is one aspect of her international career that should be talked about at length is her momentous strike rate of 134.27. Her average of 22.47 is also a decent figure considering the fact that she comes out to bat at number 5.

2.    Alyssa Healy

When it comes to keeping behind the stumps, women’s cricket has seen very few names as big as Healy and her towering presence in the international circuit has been nothing short of marvellous. She has managed to claim 2300 runs from 136 T20Is at a stunning average of 23.46 and a staggering strike rate of 127.91. Not only has she been a great batter in T20Is but her craft with the gloves has been equally towering where she has managed to claim 52 catches and affected 55 stumpings.

3.    Amy Jones

Roaring at 29 years, this English wicket-keeper has been a treat for the eyes when it comes to her wicket-keeping and some rampant striking spree. She is an efficient striker of the cherry as she scores at an effusive rate of 119.19 while her keeping flair has been way above par with 31 catches and 31 stumpings from just the 80 games that she has played so far. 

4.    Yastika Bhatia

Her recent tryst with the Indian cricket team has been slightly off her element but nonetheless, she is an extremely talented hard-hitting wicket-keeper who can turn the game on its head. However, the most impressive part about Yastika is her work behind the stumps. She has so far proven to be significantly airtight, keeping the inexplicable turners under check and also bringing out an element of surprise when it comes to quickness behind the stumps.

5.    Lizelle Lee

Hailing all the way from Transvaal, South Africa, Lizelle Lee has turned quite a few heads in the international circuit. She is a proficient striker of the ball and most importantly is known for delivering under pressure. She can dictate the proceedings with an iron fist when her team needs to and her glistening numbers of 1896 runs from 82 matches at a strike rate of 110.61 makes her a perfect pick for any given side in the tournament.