South Africa Players Make Big Gains In ICC Women's Rankings After Bangladesh ODIs

There was a lot of shift in the ICC Women’s ODI Batter Rankings after the end of the South Africa vs Bangladesh ODI series. South African batter Laura Wolvaardt was the reason behind her team’s victory in the ODI series as she led her team to win the three-match series 2-1.

Laura Wolvaardt has strengthened her fourth spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Batter Rankings whereas she is just two points behind from taking over Sri Lanka’s Chamari Athapaththu. Apart from Athapaththu, Wolvaardt needs 14 more points to take the number two spot from Australia’s Beth Mooney whereas England’s Natalie Sciver Brunt has cemented her top spot.

Laura Wolvaardt strengthen fourth spot in the ODI Player Rankings

Where Laura Wolvaardt smashed a century in the third ODI match between South Africa and Bangladesh, she was followed by her opening partner Tazmin Brits, who also slammed a century. Brits made a 32-place jump in the ICC Women’s ODI Batter Rankings and rose to the 41st spot. On the other hand, Anneke Bosch’s maiden ODI half-century, which helped her make a 70 place rise and secure the 71st spot.

Bangladesh’s Fogana Haque hit a century in the second South Africa vs Bangladesh ODI match, which was unsuccessful. However, this was enough for her to reach the 13th spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Batter Rankings.

South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp made it to the eighth spot of the ICC Women’s ODI All-Rounder Rankings after her two-wicket hauls in the two matches of the ODI series. Her performance also helped her secure a top spot in the ICC Women’s ODI Bowler Rankings and went past Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner. Both the players topped the spot together until the last week.

Getting back to the South Africa vs Bangladesh ODI series, the Bangladesh women’s team won the first ODI match in East London by 119 runs. Chasing down 251 runs, Bangladesh’s Murshida Khatun played an innings of 91* runs and was also adjudged the Player of the Match.

Chasing down 251 runs and Bangladesh team put up a brilliant bowling display and it was Nahida Akter who took a three-wicket haul. She was followed by Sultana Khatun, Fahima Khatun, and Rabeya Khan’s two-wicket haul, which helped the team win the match.

Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits help South Africa script a historic series victory

Coming to the second ODI match played in Potchefstroom, Bangladesh was only able to score 222/4 in the first innings courtesy of a fine bowling display by South Africa. The South African team didn’t face much difficulty in chasing down 223 and Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits helped South Africa get to an easy run chase.

The series decider played in Benoni was a high-scoring affair South Africa batting first scored 316/4. It was Laura Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits, who scored centuries and played innings of 126 and 118 runs respectively. Bangladesh was bundled for 100 runs and in the end, South Africa won the match by 216 runs. They also won the series by 2-1.