Sophia Dunkley

An aggressive batter and a leg-break bowler, Sophia Dunkley made her international debut in the 2018 Women’s World T20, and since then has not looked back.

She made her county debut for Middlesex and played regularly for them for the next few seasons. Dunkley was the player of the season for Middlesex in both the 2017 and 2019 seasons. 

In the 2019 County Championship, she slammed two centuries and ended the season as the tournament’s leading run-getter with 451 runs.

The Lambeth-born born played for Surrey in the Kia Super League, and it was in the 2018 season where she rose to prominence, scalping 6 wickets and scoring 98 runs. Her all-around efforts ensured that the Surrey Stars clinched the 2018 Kia Super League title. 

Dunkley was added to the England squad for the 2018 Women’s World T20I squad. She made her debut against Bangladesh, but did not bat or bowl. In the following game against the West Indies, she top-scored for England, scoring 35 runs in a losing cause.

Post the 2018 World Cup, Dunkley was in and out of the team due to poor form, but made her comeback in the England squad for their tour of Sri Lanka and India in 2019. She picked up her maiden international wicket in the second T20I match against Sri Lanka. 

In 2020, she became one of England’s first 24 professional women’s domestic cricketers to be given a central contract by the England Cricket Board.

Dunkley’s hard-hitting down the order, along with her ability to take wickets at crucial junctures, makes her a valuable asset for English cricket. The world has not yet seen the best of Sophia Dunkley, but it is just a matter of time before she explodes at the international level.

The year 2021 marked a quiet revolution in Sophia Dunkley’s career—one defined by breakthrough moments that felt long overdue. In June, she made her long-awaited ODI debut for England against India. With a calm presence at the crease and clean strokeplay, she contributed significantly with the bat, offering a fresh energy to England’s middle order. Her performance wasn’t loud, but it was unmistakably composed, showing that she wasn’t just passing through the squad, but arriving with purpose.

Just days later, the Middlesex cricketer etched her name into the history books by becoming the first Black woman to represent England in Test cricket. That debut came against India, and she responded with an unbeaten 74 in the second innings—an effort that combined resilience with elegance. It wasn’t just a personal milestone or a nod to inclusivity—it was a performance that earned its place on merit. On a Bristol pitch offering little generosity to batters, Dunkley stood tall, unfazed by the weight of occasion or expectation.

By the end of the summer, she had not only established herself as a dependable run-scorer but had also become a symbol of progress and representation in English cricket. For Sophia Dunkley, 2021 wasn’t just the start of a career—it was the confirmation of belonging.

With the top order in flux and England seeking fresh anchors, Dunkley emerged as a dependable presence, fluid in her role, steady in her returns. The highlight of her T20I year came during the home series against India, where she topped the run charts for England with 115 runs in three matches. Whether lofting over cover or finding late cuts behind point, she batted with intent and freedom. Her performances didn’t just pile on runs—they set the tone. Deservedly, she walked away with the Player of the Series award, a reward for both poise and power.

But it was in the ODI format that Dunkley truly made a statement of longevity. In July, against South Africa, she notched up her maiden ODI century—a composed, unbeaten 107. Unlike the quickfire bursts that had defined some of her T20 innings, this was an innings built brick by brick, underscoring her ability to occupy the crease and control the tempo. With every passing match, Dunkley was no longer seen as a promising youngster finding her way—she was evolving into a core figure, someone England could count on regardless of the format.

The all-rounder seized the opportunity to showcase her talents on multiple stages beyond the international arena. The inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India became a breakthrough platform for her, as she joined the Gujarat Giants. It was here that Dunkley truly announced herself with a burst of raw power, smashing the fastest fifty in WPL history against Royal Challengers Bangalore, reaching the mark in a blistering 18 balls. The innings was a thrilling display of aggression, timing, and fearless strokeplay, signalling her ability to dominate in the high-pressure environment of franchise cricket.

Back on home soil, Dunkley remained a vital cog for the South East Stars in England’s domestic competitions. Her all-round contributions, both with the bat and occasional bowling spells, lent balance and depth to the side. Her performances in the domestic season reflected a player growing in confidence and versatility, ready to shoulder responsibilities whenever called upon. 2023 was a year when Dunkley not only solidified her reputation internationally but also stamped her authority in franchise and domestic cricket alike.

As she continues to evolve into one of England’s premier batters and leaders on the field, the future holds promise not just for more runs and accolades but for Dunkley’s lasting impact on the game and its growing narrative of inclusivity and excellence.

(As of June 2025)