Rachel Holly Priest is a wicket-keeper batswoman who plays for the New Zeland women’s team. She is technically sound wicket-keeper and has been behind the wickets for New Zeland since 2007. She has the record for the highest score by a wicket-keeper batswoman in One-Day Internationals. She scored 157 runs against Sri Lanka.
Early Life & Journey
Rachel was born on 13 July 1985 in New Plymouth, Taranaki. In the state league, she played for Central Districts Hind. She was picked for the New Zeland A squad in 2007. Her performances for the New Zeland A squad fast-tracked her debut for the senior team. Rachel Priest is a wicketkeeper-batswoman who rose up through the ranks at Central Districts.
Her international debut came against Australia in both the formats and since then she has been a regular in the White Ferns side. She has never looked back ever since her debut in 2007. Priest generally opens the batting alongside Suzie Bates. The duo have turned into a formidable opening pair and they have been providing the much-needed start to the White Herns.
During the Initial Phase of her Career she was not known for her consistency rather she was considered as a hard-hitting batsman but things have changed over time. In the 2015-16 season, she showed her real class as she scored 592 runs at an average of 53.81. Her prime season saw her score four fifties and two centuries. With over 150 international games for White Ferns, Priest is now a core member of the side along with Bates, Sophie Devine, and Amy Satterthwaite.
She has been a household name on the international stage and her performances have enabled her to gain contracts in different T20 leagues around the globe. Rachel was picked up by the Melbourne Renegades in Women’s Big Bashy League, her stint with them lasted for two years. In 2017 she was signed by Sydney Thunder and is currently playing for them. Not only is she a part of the Women’s Big Bash League she also plays for the Western Storm in England’s Kia Super League.
Cricket & Stats
She made her ODI debut on 15th July 2007 against Australia.
Her debut in the shorter format of the game came on 19th July 2007 against Australia.
When it comes to the WBBL Rachel priest has played 69 matches in which she has scored 1410 runs and her highest score being 58 not out. Her strike rate is around 120 and she has 56 dismissals to her name.
She has been equally effective at the international stage. She has represented the New Zealand women’s team in 87 one-day international matches in which she has scored 1694 runs at an average of 28.23. She has the highest score for a wicketkeeper-batswoman in one-day internationals, she scored 157 runs in a match. She has two centuries and 9 half-centuries to her name.
When it comes to the shorter format of the game that is T20 internationals she has played 69 matches and has managed to score 794 runs with a strike rate of above 100. She has a half-century to her name. She is more of a wicketkeeper-batswoman and is known for her wicketkeeping technical abilities.
Achievements
Rachel Priest holds the record for the highest individual score by a batswoman in an ODI inning as a wicketkeeper (157) and is the only wicketkeeper batswoman in ODI history to score 150 in an innings.
Currently, Rachel is a part of the Sydney Thunders in the WBBL.
She also plays for the Western Storm in England’s Kia Super League.
BioData
Full name Rachel Holly Priest
D.O.B: June 13, 1985
Birth Place: New Plymouth, Taranaki
Current Age: 34 years
Sports: Cricket
Major teams: Central Districts Women, New Zealand Women, Sydney Thunder, and Western Storm
Batting style: Right-hand bat
Fielding position: Wicketkeeper
Hair Colour: Blonde
Nationality: New Zealand
Religion: Christian
