Laura Wolvaardt Clinches ICC Women's Player of the Month Award for December
South Africa's cricket captain Laura Wolvaardt has secured the ICC Women's Player of the Month award for December 2025. This recognition comes after an outstanding month where she guided her team to comprehensive series victories against Ireland in both T20I and ODI formats.
Dominant Performances Across Formats
Wolvaardt finished the year with exceptional batting displays. She achieved three centuries across different formats within a single month. Her remarkable run began in the opening T20I match where she scored an unbeaten 115 runs. Wolvaardt maintained an extraordinary strike rate of 205.35 during that innings, hitting 15 boundaries and four sixes.
The South African captain continued her dominant form into the ODI series. She played a crucial role in securing a whitewash victory against Ireland. After scoring 31 runs in the first ODI, Wolvaardt delivered back-to-back centuries. She made 124 runs from 111 balls in the second match and followed with an unbeaten 100 in the final game.
Impressive Statistics and Consistency
Wolvaardt's statistics from the Ireland tour demonstrate her exceptional form:
- In the three ODIs, she accumulated 255 runs at an average of 127.50
- She maintained a strike rate of 111.84 throughout the ODI series
- During the T20I matches, she scored 137 runs with a strike rate of 190.27
- Wolvaardt was dismissed only once across the entire T20I series
This marks her second Player of the Month award within three months. She previously received the same honor in October 2025.
Wolvaardt's Reaction and Future Focus
The South African captain expressed her delight at receiving the award again. "I'm thrilled to be named the ICC Player of the Month once more," Wolvaardt said. "Winning this award twice in three months feels very special. I will cherish this achievement for a long time."
She reflected on her performance during Ireland's tour of South Africa. "I thoroughly enjoyed batting throughout the series. Contributing runs in both ODI and T20I formats proved highly rewarding for me," Wolvaardt added.
Looking forward, the captain has set her sights on the upcoming ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026. "My focus remains on maintaining this momentum," she stated. "Our team has shown genuine progress in recent ICC events. I feel excited about the summer ahead in England and Wales. I aim to continue contributing and help our team achieve success."
Competition for the Award
Wolvaardt faced strong competition for the December award. Her teammate Sune Luus scored 323 runs and took eight wickets across formats during the same period. November winner Shafali Verma also presented a strong case, having amassed 241 runs in five T20Is for India.
Despite this tough competition, Wolvaardt's consistent performances across both formats secured her the latest honor. Her leadership and batting prowess have established her as one of the premier players in women's international cricket.
