The Proteas Women’s clinical 4-1 win over India in the ODI series saw them rise to number two on the Women’s ODI rankings.
There were also personal milestones reached in this series, including Lizelle Lee going to number 1 in the women’s ODI batting rankings, and Shabnim Ismail and Marizanne Kapp going to number 3 and 4 in the bowling rankings respectively.
Lizelle Lee deservedly picked up the Player of the Series, scoring 288 runs in the four games that she played, with two not out scores (83, 4, 132, 69). This phenomenal performance away from home earned her the top spot in the Women’s ODI batting rankings.
Her opening partner, Laura Wolvaardt, played a massive role in this opening partnership, as well as in this series win, filling in as captain for Sune Luus when she was ill. I caught up with the Western Province U19 and Senior women’s team coach, Claire Terblanche, to get her thoughts on Wolvaardt as a player and a captain.
“Laura has really been showing some immense character and growth as both a player and a leader. Compared to the last tour to India and where she is now, has been a real jump for her in how she goes about her game. I’m looking forward to seeing her score her first 100 in India one day and I’m sure there will be many more to come,” Terblanche told Cricket Fanatics Magazine.
“As a leadership prospect for the future, Laura has always exuded a quiet leadership quality and I feel if those qualities are moulded and she is guided along her pathway, she could become one of the best captains in women’s cricket.
“Calm, knowledgeable, leads from the front and has a presence on the field that allows for players to want to follow her lead. A humble but focused captain for the future.”
Ismail picked up 7 wickets in the series, reaching the milestone of 150 ODI wickets in 105 matches, and was the 7th bowler in women’s ODIs to achieve this feat. As a result, she went to number 3 in the women’s ODI bowling rankings.
The Proteas will take this momentum into the T20 series starting on Saturday, 20 March.
