Laura Wolvaardt

Laura Wolvaardt:

Laura Wolvaardt, a talented right-handed batter from South Africa, is a prominent figure in the cricket world. Playing primarily in the top order, she dazzles spectators with her elegant shots, notably the breathtaking cover drive. Representing various teams including Western Province, Adelaide Strikers, Gujarat Giants, Manchester Originals, and her national team, South Africa, Wolvaardt continues to leave her mark on the game.

History:

South African cricketer Laura Wolvaardt was born on 26 April 1999 in Milnerton, Western Cape in South Africa. In 2017, Laura Wolvaardt achieved a remarkable feat by graduating from Parklands College with seven distinctions, securing the top spot in her class. Adding to her accomplishments, she took on the role of Head Prefect, sharing this leadership position with Connor Fick. 

At just 13 years old, Laura Wolvaardt’s talent was evident as she earned a spot in the Western Province U-19 girls’ team. Her senior debut for the Western Province women’s cricket team came in October 2013, where she showcased her skills in a Twenty20 match against the Boland women’s cricket team.

Known for her consistent performance, Wolvaardt emerged as the top scorer in the 2013 Cricket South Africa Under 19 Girls Week and continued to impress in 2014 representing Western Province. Her pivotal role was highlighted when she scored 46 runs in the final match of the 2015/16 Women’s Provincial League, securing the title for Western Province for the fourth consecutive year.

Teams:

At just 13 years old, Laura Wolvaardt was already making waves, earning an invitation to play for a South Africa Women’s U-19 invitational team in December 2013. She later led the U-19 side as captain. At the age of 16, she debuted in Women’s One Day Internationals against England in February 2016. 

Wolvaardt’s talent also earned her a spot in South Africa’s squad for the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20 in the West Indies and the 2020 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia. Her dedication continued, being named in South Africa’s squad for training in Pretoria in July 2020, ahead of their tour to England.

Laura Wolvaardt has left an indelible mark in various T20 leagues, showcasing her prowess. After joining Brisbane Heat in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL), she played a crucial role in their triumph against Sydney Sixers. She later brought her talent to Adelaide Strikers in the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons.

Wolvaardt’s global T20 journey continued as she joined the Terblanche XI in South Africa’s Women’s T20 Super League in 2019. In 2021, she entered The Hundred with Northern Superchargers and continued in 2022. Adding to her diverse T20 experiences, she joined the Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League in 2023, replacing Beth Mooney mid-season.

Achievements and Awards:

Laura Wolvaardt achieved remarkable recognition early in her career. In 2013, she was honored as Cricket South Africa’s under-19 female cricketer of the year. Her talent shone brightly when, in August 2016, she became the youngest centurion in South Africa’s international cricket history, setting a remarkable record.

The following year, in May 2017, she was celebrated as the Women’s Newcomer of the Year at Cricket South Africa’s prestigious annual awards ceremony. These accolades underscore her exceptional skill and dedication, solidifying her status as one of South Africa’s most promising cricketing talents.

In July 2020, she clinched the coveted title of South Africa’s Women’s Cricketer of the Year at Cricket South Africa’s prestigious annual awards ceremony. Adding to her accolades, she secured a spot in the ICC Women’s T20I Team of the Year at the esteemed 2021 ICC Awards, showcasing her remarkable talent and contributions to the sport on both national and international stages.

Stats:

Laura Wolvaardt has left her mark across formats. In the Test arena, she showcased her skills in one match, accumulating 32 runs. In the One Day Internationals (ODIs), she stands out with 3610 runs at an average of 45.12, including five centuries and 31 half-centuries. Wolvaardt’s impact extends to T20 Internationals (WT20Is), where she has contributed 1451 runs, displaying a batting average of 34.54. 

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