Veteran India pacer Jhulan Goswami is all set to make her 200th appearance in the ODI format when she takes the field against Australia in a crucial ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup match at Eden Park on Saturday.
If Goswami takes the field for Saturday’s match, she will become the first bowler in the history of women’s ODI cricket and second overall to play in 200 matches. The first cricketer to break the 200 appearance mark in women’s ODI cricket has been her longtime teammate and India captain Mithali Raj, who has 229 appearances to her name in the format.
Asked about adding another cap to Goswami’s already gleaming wardrobe since her debut in 2002, opener Smriti Mandhana expressed her happiness at being a part of a historic day for her senior team-mate.
“I think it is a proud moment for all of us, for Jhulu Di to play her 200th match and for us to be a part of the history she is going to make. I think it is an amazing achievement for him and I think it is something incredible for a fast bowler to play for so many years and play 200 matches and it is all thanks to his work ethic,” Mandhana said in the pre- The said conference in the match virtual press.
“She has inspired everyone, all of us and I am sure tomorrow is going to be another day, she is going to be an inspiration to all of us as well as to all the girls back home that we have to see on NOW TV. She is going to be an inspiration and I am sure she will continue to inspire everyone around,” Mandhana said.
In the ongoing World Cup, Goswami overtook Australia’s Lynn Fulston to become the leading wicket-taker in the history of the tournament against West Indies.
In the match against England, Goswami took his 250th ODI wicket in his fifth World Cup and also completed 350 wickets in international cricket.
With 18 catches, Goswami is also just one catch shy of England’s Janet Brittin, who holds the record for most catches by a non-wicketkeeper in the ICC Women’s World Cup at the age of 19.
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