Dubai, (IANS) — South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt has claimed the top spot in the ICC Women’s ODI batting rankings, ending India’s Smriti Mandhana’s tenure as the world’s No.1 batter. The rise follows Wolvaardt’s record-breaking performance at the recently concluded ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India.
Wolvaardt was in sublime touch throughout the tournament, scoring 571 runs — the highest ever in a single edition of the Women’s World Cup. Her campaign included back-to-back centuries in the semi-final and final, leading South Africa to a historic title triumph.
The 25-year-old’s phenomenal consistency has earned her a career-best rating of 814 and a two-place jump to the top of the rankings. Mandhana, who had held the No.1 position since earlier this year, slipped to second place following Wolvaardt’s dominant run.
Cricket experts hailed Wolvaardt’s achievement as a testament to her technical brilliance and leadership, marking another milestone in South Africa’s growing presence in women’s cricket.