Sophie Ecclestone could play first-class cricket for a men's side, believes Alex Hartley

There is a lot of talk in society regarding women's cricket compared to men's. However, England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone nipped such discussion in the bud and continues to raise her stocks every time.

According to England cricketer and broadcaster Alex Hartley believes that no.1 ranked ODI bowler Sophie Ecclestone is "so good" that she could play first-class cricket for a men's side.

Before Ecclestone's splendid form against South Africa, which opened that gate to enter the ICC Women's World Cup finals, Alex Hartley mentioned that she had seen "a whole new level" from her fellow left-arm spinner during the tournament.

Alex Hartley's column, published in the Telegraph, stated that "There has been a lot of talk in the commentary box in recent weeks – who is better, Jack Leach or Sophie Ecclestone?"

"It is a debate we have been having a lot. You would not often compare men's and women's cricketers, but I genuinely believe Ecclestone could play first-class cricket for a men's side because she is just so good. In this World Cup, I have seen a whole new level from her in terms of her mindset."

In the ongoing ICC Women's World Cup, the in-form Sophie Ecclestone showed her class and proved her worth so many times. She returned with the career-best ODI figures of 6/36, which featured her in an elite list of the leading wicket-takers in the tournament. She has scalped 20 wickets in just 8 games at an average of 12.85.

Notably, Sophie Ecclestone surpassed Australia's Jess Jonassen and moved to the top spot in the ICC Women's ODI rankings. She also topped the chart in the ICC Women's T20I rankings for bowlers.

"She has that fighting spirit you need to be the best," Hartley said. "From the start of the tournament, I said Ecclestone would be the leading wicket-taker and that she was the best bowler in the world, and both are now officially true as she tops the world rankings as the best ODI bowler in the women's game. Some of it is down to natural talent, but she works incredibly hard on her bowling. Her points of difference and why she is so special begin with her height as a spinner."

After attaining her supremacy in the Women's ODI rankings, Sophie Ecclestone said that "For me, I want to be one of the best spinners that have ever played for England. I want people to look back in 30/40 years and say: 'do you remember Sophie Ecclestone that played that long ago.' "I want people to remember my name and just be one for the history books."