South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt continues to rise among the greatest leaders in women’s ODI cricket. With her stunning hundred in the World Cup final against India in Navi Mumbai, Wolvaardt has now climbed to 8 centuries as captain, joining New Zealand legend Suzie Bates on the list. Only Australia’s Meg Lanning stands ahead with 11 tons.
Most hundreds as captain in Women’s ODIs
- 11 – Meg Lanning (Australia)
- 8 – Suzie Bates (New Zealand)
- 8 – Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
- 6 – Chamari Athapaththu (Sri Lanka)
- 6 – Hayley Matthews (West Indies)
This landmark hundred adds to Wolvaardt’s growing stature as one of the finest modern ODI batters. Earlier, she also became only the second player — across men’s and women’s World Cups — to score a hundred in both the semi-final and final of the same edition, matching Alyssa Healy’s 2022 heroics.
Final match update
Wolvaardt reached her hundred with a calm single off Deepti Sharma, taking South Africa to 211/6 in 40 overs, needing 88 runs off the final 60 deliveries to chase India’s 298/7.
Her composed celebrations signaled focus over fanfare — the job is far from done, and the chase remains tense. With the required run rate rising and India searching for breakthroughs, Wolvaardt’s wicket could decide the fate of this World Cup final.
The stage is set for a nail-biting finish in Navi Mumbai. Can India hold their nerve, or will Wolvaardt script one of the greatest World Cup chases?
(Real-time Update)
