Women’s cricket has witnessed the rise of several young prodigies who broke into the international scene at remarkably early ages. These players not only surprised the world with their talent but also proved their readiness to compete at the highest level despite their youth.
Many of these cricketers debuted as teenagers, balancing school life with the pressures of international sport. Their stories are a testament to dedication, natural skill, and the support of strong cricketing systems in their countries.
From ODIs to T20Is and Test matches, these young stars have carved their names into the record books, inspiring a new generation of aspiring cricketers worldwide.
Top 10 Youngest Women Cricketers – International Debut
Women’s cricket has been graced by several young talents who made their mark on the international stage at astonishingly early ages. These players not only showcased remarkable skill and maturity but also demonstrated that age is no barrier to achieving greatness in cricket.
One of the most notable names is Sajjida Shah of Pakistan, who made her international debut at just 12 years old, setting a world record that still stands. Another inspiring example is Gaby Lewis, the current Ireland skipper, who debuted in T20Is at the age of 13 and has gone on to become one of the country’s most consistent performers.
Let’s take a look at the top 10 youngest women cricketers to debut internationally and their incredible journeys:
| Position | Player | Debut Age | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sajjida Shah | 12 years 171 days | Pakistan |
| 2 | Gaby Lewis | 13 years 166 days | Ireland |
| 3 | Lucy O’Reilly | 13 years 241 days | Ireland |
| 4 | Elena Tice | 13 years 272 days | Ireland |
| 5 | Fiona Urquhart | 13 years 355 days | Scotland |
| 6 | Louise Little | 13 years 360 days | Ireland |
| 7 | Julie van der Flier | 14 years 64 days | Ireland |
| 8 | Kim Garth | 14 years 70 days | Australia |
| 9 | Gargi Banerjee | 14 years 165 days | India |
| 10 | Johmari Logtenberg | 14 years 166 days | South Africa |
Most of the players on this list are from Ireland, and the reason they are getting early opportunities is due to the team management’s modern approach to squad selection. Instead of focusing solely on age, the selectors prioritize raw talent, potential, and performance.
This forward-thinking strategy has allowed several young players to break into the national side early, gaining valuable experience and exposure on the international stage.
1. Sajjida Shah (PAK)
Career Stats:
(Batting)
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 2 | 100 | 33.33 | 98 | 0 | 1 |
| ODIs | 60 | 863 | 15.98 | 52 | 0 | 1 |
| T20Is | 8 | 86 | 12.28 | 27* | 0 | 0 |
(Bowling)
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 2 | 0 | – | – |
| ODIs | 60 | 51 | 28.88 | 7/4 |
| T20Is | 8 | 3 | 24.00 | 1/11 |
Syeda Sajjida Shah made her international debut for Pakistan at just 12 years old, making her the youngest cricketer—male or female—to play international cricket.
A talented bowling all-rounder, she represented Pakistan in both ODIs and Tests. Her early debut and impactful performances earned her recognition as one of Pakistan’s trailblazing women cricketers.
2. Gaby Lewis (IRE)
Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 53 | 1471 | 30.64 | 96* | 0 | 11 |
| T20Is | 94 | 2318 | 28.61 | 119 | 2 | 13 |
Gaby Lewis made her international debut for Ireland at the age of just 13, becoming one of the youngest players to ever play T20I cricket. Born in the 21st century, she quickly rose through the ranks with her natural talent and leadership qualities.
Today, she proudly leads the Irish women’s team as their captain.
3. Lucy O’Reilly (IRE)
Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 14 | 8 | 42.87 | 2/65 |
| T20Is | 32 | 27 | 25.03 | 4/28 |
Lucy made her debut for the Ireland Women’s team at just 13 years and 241 days old. In her very first tournament, she impressed with her bowling skills and went on to become the leading wicket-taker for her country with 11 wickets.
4. Elena Tice (IRE)
Career Stats: (Batting)
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 15 | 14 | 1.55 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 25 | 155 | 11.92 | 44* | 0 | 0 |
(Bowling)
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 15 | 8 | 47.50 | 3/31 |
| T20Is | 25 | 16 | 30.62 | 3/12 |
An exceptionally talented Irish all-rounder, she began her international cricket journey at just 13 years old, becoming one of the youngest players ever to represent her country at the highest level.
Her debut reflected not just raw talent, but also remarkable maturity and game awareness at such a young age. Over the years, she has grown into a reliable performer for Ireland, contributing with both bat and ball whenever needed.
Her early start paved the way for a steady rise in the national setup, earning her respect as one of the promising faces of Irish women’s cricket.
5. Fiona Urquhart (SCO)
Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 8 | 41 | 5.85 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
This talented Scottish cricketer made her international debut at just 13 years and 355 days old, becoming the second youngest player at the time to play at the international level.
A key member of the national side, she featured in all eight ODI matches Scotland played. She was named captain for the 2008 World Cup Qualifier in South Africa, but unfortunately, an injury during the tournament cut her participation short.
In 2017, she brought her international cricket journey to a close, announcing her retirement from the sport.
6. Louise Little (IRE)
Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODIs | 7 | 23 | 4.60 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| T20Is | 27 | 58 | 7.25 | 17* | 0 | 0 |
Louise Little made her international debut for Ireland at just 13 years and 360 days old, making her one of the youngest female cricketers to step onto the international stage.
Her cricketing journey has only just begun, and she is seen as a bright prospect for Ireland’s future. With talent and determination on her side, Louise has a promising path ahead in international cricket.
7. Julie van der Flier (IRE)
Juliana Aleida Eileen van der Flier, a right-handed batter from Ireland, made her international debut at just 14 years and 60 days old.
Her only appearance came against Pakistan Women in 2011, where she faced just three deliveries without scoring a run. Though brief, her debut remains a notable milestone in Ireland’s youth cricket journey.
8. Kim Garth (AUS)
Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Average | BBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 4 | 8 | 33.12 | 2/13 |
| ODIs | 56 | 55 | 24.00 | 4/11 |
| T20Is | 61 | 49 | 23.06 | 3/6 |
Kim Garth began her international cricket journey with Ireland at the age of just 14, showcasing immense promise as an all-rounder. She quickly became a key figure in the Irish side, known for her sharp bowling and handy batting skills.
After years of dedicated service to Ireland, she made a major career move by shifting to Australia to pursue professional cricket opportunities.
Her consistent performances in domestic leagues earned her a spot in the Australian women’s team, making her one of the few players to represent two nations at the international level. Kim’s journey reflects adaptability, determination, and a deep passion for the sport.
9. Gargi Banerjee (IND)
Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 12 | 614 | 27.90 | 75 | 0 | 6 |
| ODIs | 26 | 409 | 15.73 | 61 | 0 | 2 |
Gargi Banerjee made her international debut for India at the age of 14 years and 165 days, becoming one of the youngest players to represent the country. She played her first ODI against England in 1978 and went on to make her Test debut in 1984 against Australia. A technically sound batter, she featured in 12 Test matches and 26 ODIs for India.
Despite never scoring a century, she holds the record for the most Test runs (614) by a woman without a hundred, highlighting her consistency and contribution to Indian women’s cricket during its early days.
10. Johmari Logtenberg (SA)
Career Stats:
| Format | Matches | Runs | Average | HS | 100s | 50s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 3 | 109 | 21.80 | 74 | 0 | 1 |
| ODIs | 26 | 848 | 15.00 | 153* | 2 | 5 |
| T20Is | 2 | 30 | 15.00 | 29 | 0 | 0 |
Johmari Logtenberg made her Test and ODI debut for South Africa against England at just 14 years and 166 days old, making her the second youngest Test cricketer in history. She showcased her talent right away, scoring 74 runs and taking a wicket in her debut Test.
During England’s 2004 tour of South Africa, Johmari stood out with two half-centuries and finished as the highest run-scorer of the series. Her early performances highlighted her immense potential and marked her as one of the brightest young talents in South African women’s cricket.
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Conclusion: Sajjida Shah is the Youngest Women’s Cricketer to Make an International Debut!
The world of women’s cricket has witnessed some truly remarkable young talents who broke onto the international stage at incredibly early ages.
These cricketers, with their courage, skill, and determination, have shown that age is just a number when it comes to passion and talent. From Sajjida Shah’s historic debut at just 12 years old to rising stars like Gaby Lewis and Kim Garth, their journeys inspire future generations to dream big.
Their early exposure to international cricket not only shaped their careers but also strengthened the future of women’s cricket globally, proving that young stars can shine just as bright.
