The factor behind Thailand’s first World Cup, fast bowler Chanida Sutthiruang was the leading wicket-taker in the ICC Women’s T20 Qualifiers with 12 wickets in five matches at an economy of 4.16. The ever-smiling, charming fast bowler won the ICC Women’s Emerging Player of the Yea award in December 2019 for her spectacular performances that led to Thailand’s qualification for the major event.
The backstory
A product of Thailand’s under 19 programme, Sutthiruang first gained attention in 2012 when she made her senior debut for Thailand. In 2013, the pace bowler was the leading wicket-taker in the Asian Cricket Council’s Women’s Championship campaign, a tournament Thailand went on to win.
Over the last eight years, Sutthiruang has developed into a mainstay in Thailand’s line-up and has been a revolution with her pace bowling. In the Southeast Asian Games in 2017, the Thailand pacer played for Thailand and helped her side win the Gold.
The T20 World Cup qualifier
She gained most attention in the T20 World Cup qualifiers. Her 12 wickets, that came as a result of some economical and accurate bowling, played a major role in Thailand’s qualification. She snared 4 for 16 against Namibia before she ran through the Netherlands top-order with a haul of 3 for 5. She finished the tournament in Scotland as the Player of the Tournament.
What does she add?
In simple terms, experience. In 35 matches for Thailand in the format, Sutthiruang has 42 wickets with a miserly economy of less than four. She is also a decent batswoman down the order and has a highest score of 35 for Thailand. She has represented Thailand in each of their T20I matches over the years.
In the team led by Sornnarin Tippoch, Sutthiruang will be a key figure in the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia.