South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt has acquired the title of the top-ranked ODI batter in the latest ICC cricket rankings, courtesy her immaculate performances in the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2022.
Wolvaardt has scored the most runs (433) at the World Cup, and her success in New Zealand has been recognised, as she moved up two places and surpassed two Australians to capture the top spot on the ICC ODI Player Rankings for batters.
The classy South African has five half-centuries from seven innings at the 50-over showcase, with her best score of 90 coming against tournament favourites Australia last week in Wellington.
It means that Alyssa Healy loses her top ranking, with the Australia wicket-keeper falling four places to fifth in the Women ODI standings.
Teammate Beth Mooney is still ranked second, with Australia captain Meg Lanning (third) and England veteran Nat Sciver (fourth) filling out the top five hitters in the newest rankings.
Mithali Raj’s fifty against South Africa sent her up three spots to No. 6. The match, however, ended in heartache for the Indian captain, as her side was eliminated from the World Cup in a last-ball drama.
While the newest batter rankings have seen a lot of change, the same cannot be said for the bowling or all-rounder rankings.
England spinner Sophie Ecclestone, who has 14 wickets in the World Cup, is the best-ranked bowler, with Australia’s Jess Jonassen coming in second.
South African seamer Shabnim Ismail jumps one position to third in the rankings, passing Australia veteran Megan Schutt, while India pacer Jhulan Goswami jumps two spots to fifth.
The all-rounder rankings are unchanged, with Australia veteran Ellyse Perry continuing at the top and the top eight players all retaining their present positions.
Katherine Brunt of England moved up two spots to ninth, while Goswami drops one point to tenth.
Pakistan all-rounder Nida Dar, who scored 118 runs and took 10 wickets at the World Cup, jumps four places to 12th, while Bangladesh veteran Salma Khatun jumps seven places to 19th.
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