Laura Wolvaardt becomes World No.1 batter, kicks down Nat Sciver-Brunt in ICC Rankings

South Africa Women's National Cricket Team skipper Laura Wolvaardt has reclaimed her top spot in the ICC rankings for Women in ODIs. She was rewarded for her performances in the series against the England Women's National Cricket Team.

Laura Wolvaardt earlier claimed the top spot during the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup in New Zealand in 2022. However, since then, the batter has been witnessing a drop in the rankings. But finally, after a few years, she is back at the top spot following her impressive performances.

Laura Wolvaardt played a magnificent innings of 59* and 35 in the opening two matches against England

Laura Wolvaardt played a magnificent innings of 59* and 35 in the opening two matches of her side's ICC Women's Championship series at home against England. This saw her gaining rating points and claiming the No.1 rank in the ICC ODI rankings. Thanks to her effort with the bat, South Africa Women's National Cricket Team won the first game but lost the second game.

Laura Wolvaardt gained one spot and replaced England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt from the top. The latter failed to get going in the series as she registered scores of 0 and 20 from the two games against the South Africa Women's National Cricket Team.

Apart from Laura Wolvaardt, Chloe Tryon, and Ellyse Perry made a massive rise in the rankings

South Africa batter Chloe Tryon also made substantial gains as he jumped 8 spots to equal 17th for ODI batters. This came after her decent innings of 45 in the second game of the series. Apart from her, Australian players also made a massive rise in the rankings after their outings against India.

Ellyse Perry, who hit a sensational century in the second ODI, gained two places to move to fourth for ODI batters. Phoebe Litchfield (up 13 places to 25th) and Tahlia McGrath (up five spots to 32nd) also made gains after their decent hands with the bat in the two games.

ICC ODI rankings for bowlers: Kim Garth and Marizanne Kapp make huge gains after their performances

In terms of the ICC ODI rankings for bowlers, Kim Garth moved up seven places to 16th and Annabel Sutherland climbed 23 spots to 24th. Marizanne Kapp also gained three spots to move to sixth overall after four wickets in the two games against England.

Young Irish Orla Prendergast was among the notable gainers in the ICC T20I rankings for all-rounders after her side's impressive series sweep over Bangladesh. She gained six spots to move to equal ninth overall. This came after she scored 54 runs and claimed 10 wickets.

Ireland teammate Arlene Kelly also improved six spots on the rankings for T20I bowlers to equal 27th following her five scalps across the three matches. Bangladesh's Sharmin Akhter claimed 68th rank in the T20I rankings following her 95 runs across the series.

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