Laura Wolvaardt showed her killer instinct early in the Women’s ODI World Cup final, finishing the match before India even pushed the ball. The South African captain was the star of the tournament, guiding the Proteas to a historic win over India at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
With a chase of 299, Wolvaardt’s bat never faltered. She added a fifth half‑century in the final, more than any other player in a single World Cup edition, and became the tournament’s top run‑scorer. Her tally of 509 runs beats the previous record set by Australia captain Alyssa Healy in the 2021/22 edition in New Zealand, where Healy averaged 56.55.
Wolvaardt’s consistency pushed her past every other great. She now tops the Women’s ODI World Cup chart with 14 half‑centuries, eclipsing India’s Mithali Raj, who had 13. She also matched the record for most 50‑plus scores in a single tournament—a feat shared with New Zealand legend Debbie Hockley, Australia’s Ellyse Perry, and her own earlier achievement.
Her form began in the semifinal against England in Guwahati. After blasting 169 runs, she helped South Africa set a mammoth 319. England could not keep up and fell short at 194. In the group stage she kept the pressure on with knocks of 90 against Pakistan, 70 vs. India, and an unbeaten 60 against Sri Lanka. Each innings added confidence and momentum for the team.
South Africa’s victory in the final showcases why Wolvaardt is considered one of the most reliable batters in world cricket. Her calm authority and technical brilliance shine when the stakes are highest. Every run she scores helps guard the heart of the Proteas’ batting lineup, and her record‑breaking season makes her a defining figure of the 2025 World Cup.
The match at DY Patil Stadium not only delivered a stunning win for South Africa but also added new milestones to cricket history, cementing Laura Wolvaardt’s name among the greats of women’s ODI cricket.
Source: ianslive
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