When Amy Jones, wicketkeeper‑batter of the England women's national cricket team smashed 129 runs off 98 balls in the second ODI against the West Indies women's cricket team, the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) bumped her to fourth place in the women’s ODI batting rankings with 689 rating points. The feat was logged in an official update released on 10 June 2024 from Dubai, United Arab Emirates. That jump followed a century in the series opener a few days earlier, turning a solid performance into a historic rise.
Background: England Women’s ODI Rankings Journey
England’s women have long hovered near the top of the ICC tables, but the last two years have been a roller‑coaster. In early 2023 the side slipped to eighth, prompting a revamp of the batting order and a focus on aggressive wicket‑keeping. Laura Wolvaardt and Smriti Mandhana have anchored the top spots, while Nat Sciver‑Brunt provided the power‑hitting punch. Jones, originally a backup keeper, earned a regular spot in late 2022 after a run‑a‑ball 85 against South Africa, and her consistency has paid off.
Series Breakthrough: Two Centuries Against West Indies
The three‑match series, officially titled England vs West Indies Women’s ODI SeriesDubai, kicked off on 3 June 2024. In the first ODI, Jones walked out to the crease with England needing 250. She paced a measured 102 off 107 balls, underpinning a 7‑wicket win. The second match, played on 6 June, saw her unleash a rapid 129 from 98 deliveries, sparking a 9‑wicket victory that sealed a 3‑0 series whitewash.
Behind the scenes, bowler Kate Cross chipped in with three wickets across the series, including a tidy 1/15 in the final game that earned her eighth place in the ICC women’s ODI bowling rankings.
Impact on Rankings and Team Momentum
Before the series, Jones sat at seventh with 662 points. After the second century, the ICC’s algorithm catapulted her to 689 points, nudging her just behind the trio of Wolvaardt (724), Mandhana (710), and Sciver‑Brunt (698). The jump not only rewards individual brilliance but also gives England a psychological edge ahead of the upcoming India tour.
- Rating points: 689 (fourth place)
- Series result: England 3‑0 West Indies
- Jones’s ODI career runs: 2,439 (average 32.52, SR 85.25) – per ICC profile
- Kate Cross bowling rank: 8th (31 wickets, economy 3.25)
- Metro Bank ODI Women’s Player of the Summer 2025 awarded to Jones
Oddly enough, two ICC databases list slightly different career stats for Jones – one shows 1,666 runs at a 20.32 average, the other the higher figure above. The discrepancy likely stems from one source counting only matches up to early 2024, the other including the 2025 summer season.
Reactions from Players and Experts
“Amy’s ability to accelerate when the team needs it is unmatched,” said England head coach Mark Robinson in a post‑match interview. “Her keeping gives us confidence, and her bat is now a genuine world‑class weapon.”
Former Australian star Meg Lanning praised the achievement on Twitter, noting, “Four‑figure scores in back‑to‑back ODIs? That’s the kind of form that reshapes a career.”
Analyst Mike Selvey of Sky Sports added, “The rankings algorithm rewards consistency and impact. Jones’s two centuries in a three‑match span is a textbook case of what the system is built to recognise.”
What Lies Ahead: India Tour and World Cup Prospects
The next big hurdle is a hard‑fought tour of India slated for September 2024. England will face the host nation in a five‑match ODI series that doubles as preparation for the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup in India. If Jones maintains her form, she could challenge Wolvaardt for the top spot, especially as the World Cup promises to be a high‑stakes arena.
Meanwhile, the Metro Bank award, presented in August 2025, cemented Jones’s status as a summer powerhouse. The prize, backed by the UK’s leading retail bank, recognised the 302 ODI runs she amassed across the 2025 season – a tally that included yet another century against South Africa.
Key Stats and Records
Below is a quick snapshot of the numbers that matter:
- Highest ODI score: 129 (vs West Indies, 6 June 2024) \n
- Career ODI runs (ICC profile): 2,439
- Batting average (profile 1): 32.52
- Batting strike rate (profile 2): 121.61
- Rating points after series: 689
- Fourth on the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings
These figures underline why Jones is now a household name among cricket fans in England and beyond. The next chapter – the India tour – will test whether she can turn a meteoric rise into sustained dominance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Amy Jones’s new ranking affect England’s chances in the upcoming India tour?
Being fourth in the ICC ODI rankings gives England a psychological boost and forces opposition teams to plan specifically for Jones’s aggressive style. If she carries the same momentum into India, England’s middle order will be harder to contain, raising their win probability in what is expected to be a tightly contested series.
What were the key factors behind Jones’s back‑to‑back centuries?
Two main things: her ability to read the bowlers early and a clear game plan to rotate the strike. She also benefitted from solid opening partnerships that let her settle before accelerating in the powerplay and death overs.
Why do ICC profiles show different career statistics for Jones?
The discrepancy stems from the cut‑off dates each profile uses. One set updates in real time and includes her 2025 summer performances, while the other was frozen in early 2024, before her two centuries against West Indies.
Who are the players currently ahead of Jones in the ICC rankings?
The top three are South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt (724 points), India’s Smriti Mandhana (710 points) and England’s own Nat Sciver‑Brunt (698 points). All three have posted series‑winning knocks in the past year.
What is the Metro Bank ODI Women’s Player of the Summer award?
Sponsored by Metro Bank, the award recognises the most impactful ODI performer over the English summer. Jones earned it in 2025 after amassing 302 runs, including two centuries, and topping the MVP table for the season.