South Africa women’s cricket team captain Laura Wolvaardt played a stellar innings of 169 runs in the ICC World Cup 2025 semi-final clash against England. The 26-year-old star batter was part of three solid partnerships along the way, helping her side get to a total of 319/7. In response, she handled her bowlers well as they bundled England out for 194 in 42.3 overs. SA-W reached their maiden World Cup final with this win.
Wolvaardt smashes a supreme 169
Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits added 116 runs for the 1st wicket. England hit back with a few wickets before the opening batter put on 72 runs with Marizanne Kapp and another 89 alongside Chloe Tryon. Her knock of 169 had a count of 20 fours and 4 sixes. Wolvaardt’s innings was a mix of graceful drives and aggressive shots. She dominated the scenes especially after the fall of the sixth wicket. She led her side through tough patches, despite wickets falling at the other end.
Five-star performance: Wolvaardt surpasses 5000 WODI runs
During the course of her 169-run knock, Wolvaardt went past 5000 Women’s ODI runs. She became the 1st South African batter to achieve this record. She also became the 6th batter in WODI history to smash 5000 runs. Wolvaardt, who now owns 5121 runs, joined Mithali Raj, Charlotte Edwards, Suzie Bates, Stafanie Taylor and Smriti Mandhana in terms of 5000 WODI runs.
2nd-fastest to 5000 WODI runs (by innings)
As per Cricbuzz, Wolvaardt became the youngest batter to complete 5000 WODI runs at 26y 186d. She also became the second-fastest to complete 5000 WODI runs in terms of innings (117). India’s Smirit Mandhana owns the record, taking 112 innings.
Maiden World Cup ton and 10th in WODIs
Wolvaardt smashed her maiden World Cup century. She joined the likes of Linda Olivier, Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits in terms of Women’s World Cup centuries for South Africa.
On the other hand, she hit her 10th century in the format for SA-W. Apart from 10 tons, she owns 38 fifties.
Wolvaardt’s 169 secures her these World Cup feats
- Wolvaardt’s score of 169 is the highest individual effort for SA-W in ICC Women’s World Cup history.
- As per ESPNcricinfo, she also bagged the 2nd-highest score by a batter against England Women in te global tournament.
- She posted the second-highest individual score by a captain in a World Cup match. Her effort is only behind the 229* by Belinda Clark against Denmark (1997 World Cup).
- Wolvaardt now owns the joint-most number of 50-plus scores in ICC Women’s World Cup history. She matched the effort of Mithali Raj (13).
- The Proteas Women batter also recorded the 3rd-highest individual score in Women’s World Cup knockout matches. Only Harmanpreet Kaur (171*) and Alyssa Healy (170) are ahead.
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