South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, has ascended to the top of the ICC Women’s ODI Batter Rankings after setting a new record for the most runs in a Women’s World Cup. In doing so, she surpassed India’s opening batter Smriti Mandhana, the reigning champions, and Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, a semi-finalist in the tournament.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) released its weekly update of the Women’s ODI rankings today (Tuesday), following the conclusion of the recently completed World Cup.
Wolvaardt amassed an impressive 571 runs from nine matches, including two centuries and three half-centuries. This remarkable feat saw her break the record for the most runs in a single Women’s World Cup.
Notable performances in the semi-final against England, where she scored 169 runs, and in the final against India, where she made 101, contributed significantly to her rise. These performances propelled the right-handed batter to the top of the ICC’s ODI rankings with a rating of 814, moving her up two places.
Mandhana, who has slipped to second, is just three rating points behind Wolvaardt with a score of 811. Gardner has fallen to third with a rating of 738.
Australia’s Ellyse Perry has entered the top 10, climbing three places to eighth, with a rating of 669, level with New Zealand’s Sophie Devine in seventh place.
India’s Jemimah Rodrigues has surged nine places to tenth, following her outstanding 127-run knock against Australia in the semi-finals. Her innings was instrumental in India chasing down a 339-run target, setting a new World Cup record.
In the ICC Women’s Bowler Rankings, England’s Sophie Ecclestone remains in top spot with a rating of 747. South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp has moved up two places to second. Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner continues to lead the all-rounders’ rankings.
ICC Women’s ODI Rankings:
| Position | Player | Country | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Laura Wolvaardt | South Africa | 814 |
| 2 | Smriti Mandhana | India | 811 |
| 3 | Ashleigh Gardner | Australia | 738 |
| 4 | Ellyse Perry | Australia | 669 |
| 5 | Sophie Devine | New Zealand | 669 |
| 6 | Jemimah Rodrigues | India | N/A |
Note: The rankings are based on the most recent update from the ICC.
