After a record-breaking World Cup campaign that saw her lead South Africa to a silver medal, Laura Wolvaardt has risen to claim the No. 1 spot in the world ODI batting rankings.
South Africa (07 November 2025) – Fresh from leading South Africa to a historic silver medal finish at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, captain Laura Wolvaardt has added another remarkable milestone to her name! Becoming the world’s No. 1 ranked batter in women’s One Day Internationals.
Laura’s calm dominance with the bat was one of the standout stories of the tournament. The 25-year-old produced a record-breaking campaign, scoring 571 runs, the most ever in a single edition of the Women’s World Cup. Her performances included centuries in both the semi-final and final in India. These innings showcased her ability to thrive when the pressure was at its highest.
Those innings not only earned her praise around the world but also propelled her above India’s Smriti Mandhana, who had held the top spot for most of the tournament. Now sitting on a career-high rating of 814, Laura’s achievement underlines her reputation as one of the most consistent batters in the modern game.
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It wasn’t just Laura flying the South African flag high. All-rounder Marizanne Kapp also made significant strides in the latest ICC rankings, moving closer to the top spot among bowlers after her brilliant 5/20 performance against England in the semi-final.
Beyond the numbers, though, this is all about her leadership and quiet strength. Taking over the captaincy just over a year ago, Laura has balanced the weight of expectation by guiding a new generation of Proteas players while continuing to evolve her own game.
Her rise to the top is a proud moment for South African cricket.
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Sources: Cricket World Cup
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