Ismail and Wolvaardt enter top 10 Women's T20I rankings

South Africa’s on field heroics during the just concluded sensational Women’s World T20 Cup campaign have been augmented by those from off the field as well with two of their main players rising to considerable positions in the rankings. Laura Wolvaardt, who finished the competition as its top run getter, is now at No.6 while Shabnim Ismail, who produced a match defining spell in the semi final is positioned at No.7.

The SA women’s side became the first their nation to compete in the final of cricket world cup at the senior level. They managed to reach the finals despite starting the competition miserably and facing must-win situations even before the knockout stages ever commenced. 

Rising to the occasion were the same players who have now been recognised with improved seeding. Wolvaardt smashed half centuries in a do or die clash against Bangladesh and in the final against Australia moved up the rankings by eight places. Her opening partner Tazmin Brits, who was adjourned player of the match in the semi final, is up five places to No.12. Among the bowlers, Ismail, having been down at No.11, has broken into the top 10 and her new ball partner Ayabonga Khaka is on cloud 9, climbing from 21st to 14th. 

Australia who lifted the title for a record third time in a row witnessed significant gains among their own players as well. Ashleigh Gardner, already the highest seeded allrounder, consolidated her position by scoring 110 runs and bagging 10 wickets in the competition. Darcie Brown moved up five spots to No.3 in the bowling charts following her impressive show in the tournament wherein she claimed 7 wickets at an economy rate of 5. Sophie Ecclestone remains at No.1 and having had a decent tournament herself- 11 wickets in 5 ties- she has now become only the second person in the history to go past 800 rating points in the Women’s World T20I bowlers’ rankings. Australian speedster Megan Schutt peaked at 805 in 2019 and is the only woman to reach that level. Ecclestone is presently on 801 rating points. 

These ranking updates came on the day it was confirmed that Australia, South Africa, England, New Zealand, South Africa and West Indies have earned automatic qualification to the 2024 Women’s World T20 Cup.