Women’s World Cup 2025

The Women’s World Cup 2025 turned into a tournament that not only crowned a fresh champion but also reshuffled the entire landscape of the top ODI batters. One of the biggest storylines of the Women’s World Cup 2025 was the dramatic change at the top of the ICC charts: thanks to a record-setting performance, Laura Wolvaardt surged into the No.1 position and became the new queen of ODI batting. All the details are right here.

Women’s World Cup 2025 New Top Batter: Who Is Laura Wolvaardt?

Laura Wolvaardt is a South African batting star who has been viewed as one of the most consistent and technically gifted players in global women’s cricket for years. She started her international journey as a teenager back in 2013, quickly earned a permanent spot, and eventually became a central figure in her national side.

During the Women’s World Cup 2025, which took place in India from September 30 to November 2, the Indian team made history by lifting the trophy for the first time after defeating South Africa in the final. But despite her team falling short in the title match, Wolvaardt delivered what was arguably the finest tournament of her career.

She was the engine of the South African batting order, kept the pace in high-pressure matches, and wrapped up the Women’s World Cup 2025 with a jaw-dropping total of 571 runs.

Her steady hand at the crease and her ability to play long, match-defining innings became the main driving force behind her rise in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings. Her brilliant showing at the Women’s World Cup 2025 brought her straight to the top and cemented her status as the new No.1 batter in ODI cricket.

What Changed in the ODI Batting Rankings

The International Cricket Council maintains its own system for evaluating batting performance in women’s ODI cricket. Rather than relying on raw numbers alone, the rankings aim to reflect a player’s true current level, taking into account the quality of the opposition, the importance of each match, and how consistently a batter delivers over time. After major tournaments, the ICC refreshes the list, and the most recent update was published on November 2, 2025, right after the conclusion of the Women’s World Cup.

Updated ODI Batting Rankings:

After the 2025 Women’s World Cup, the shake-up extended far beyond the batting charts. The ODI bowling standings were dramatically reshaped as well. South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp surged into contention for the No. 1, emerging as a genuine threat to England’s Sophie Ecclestone. Her leap up the rankings was fueled by a breathtaking semifinal performance against England, where she tore through the lineup with a five-wicket haul for just 20 runs – a spell that completely shifted the momentum of the match.