Laura Wolvaardt is a name that has found its way into the hearts of cricket fans all over the world ever since her debut on 5th February 2016, especially for the residents of Gujarat, India, who have been accustomed to seeing the 25-year-old batter light up their fields for the Gujarat Giants with her blazing performances.

Wolvaardt's potential to form a formidable trio with Lizelle Lee and Marizanne Kapp for the South Africa Women’s cricket team is well-known among fans, with bowlers dreading the prospect of facing them.

Youngest Woman To Reach 1000 Runs In ODIs

On 11th February 2018 in Potchefstroom, South Africa Women took on India Women and a then young teen star Wolvaardt penned her name in history for her achievements on that day.

South Africa Women opened with Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt in the 2nd innings of the game, with Lee being dismissed by Shikha Pandey after scoring 10 runs off 14 balls. Wolvaardt, on the other hand, kept a steady front and eased the pressure from the Indian bowling team slowly pushing the wall back upon them.

She forged a crucial 118-run partnership with Mignon du Preez, anchoring the innings with poise and skill.

Eventually Wolvaardt’s shot to extra cover, bowled by Ekta Bisht, was caught by Harmanpreet and she was dismissed after a brilliant inning of scoring more than a half-century and unlocking her first two milestones.

This performance made her the youngest woman (18 years and 290 days) to reach 1000 ODI runs and became second only to Shahid Afridi overall.

Youngest South African To 2000 Runs In ODIs

Wolvaardt’s next milestone came on March 7, 2021, in Lucknow, India, again against India Women. Opening with Lizelle Lee, the duo each scored 80 runs, but it was Wolvaardt who etched her name in the record books. She became the youngest South African (21 years and 315 days) to reach 2000 ODI runs, surpassing Quinton de Kock’s record (23 years and 48 days).

Third Fastest Women To Reach 3000 Career Runs In ODIs

The 3000th run milestone came against Ireland Women for Laura Wolvaardt on 17th June 2022 in Dublin.

Opening again for the Proteas Women, Laura put up an innings that was note-worthy despite her opening partner, Andie Steyn being dismissed via run out by Sophie MacMahon. Laura had to take charge until the arrival of skipper Suné Luus who then helped the right-handed batter by easing the pressure of the youngster.

Laura Woolvardt and her skipper created a phenomenal partnership of 177 runs. The day was going well for the South African batter and then things took a turn for the better.

She reached 3000 career ODI runs in just 76 innings, matching Karen Rolton's record and placing her behind only Meg Lanning (64 innings) and Belinda Clark (62 innings).

The Milestone That Has Changed Her-story

After recording two milestones against Women In Blue, it was almost fate that her latest biggest milestone would also come against India Women on 19th June 2024 in Bengaluru, India.

By now the Indian bowling team was aware of the danger that Laura Wolvaardt possessed, especially since one of Wolvaardt’s Gujarat Giants team-mates, Dayalan Hemalatha, is a part of the Women In Blue squad. In the same way, Laura had also taken her positive learnings taken from playing in the Women’s Premier League and turned them into a tactical munition.

Not only did she stay strong for the entirety of the game, but she also took the helm of leading the attack.

She delivered an unforgettable performance, scoring an unbeaten 135 runs off 135 balls. Her innings included three sixes and twelve boundaries, showcasing her range of shots and tactical understanding. Partnering with Marizanne Kapp, she formed a dominant 184-run partnership.

Wolvaardt’s exceptional performance led her to become the youngest woman to reach 4000 ODI runs, surpassing the records of former West Indies Captain Stafanie Taylor (26 years and 124 days) and Australian skipper Meg Lanning (29 years and 309 days).

After seeing her achieve such milestones with South Africa Women, we eagerly anticipate Wolvaardt’s return to the next season of the Women’s Premier League, so that we can see her set the field alight with her fiery batting display.