Women's Test: SA's Laura Wolvaardt slams century versus India
South African Women's cricket team captain Laura Wolvaardt has brought up her maiden century in Women's Tests. She touched the three-figure mark on the fourth and final day of the one-off Women's Test against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. It was indeed a captain's knock from Wolvaardt as SA are following on. Here are her stats.
A brilliant hand from Wolvaardt
As SA were folded for 266 while responding to India's first innings score of 603/6d, they were asked to follow on. Wolvaardt, who made 20 in SA's first innings, batted with a cautious approach in the third innings. After losing Anneke Bosch early, she added 190 runs with fellow centurion Sune Luus (109). Meanwhile, Wolvaardt completed her maiden Test ton on Day 4 morning.
A look at Wolvaardt's stats
Wolvaardt was dismissed for 122 off 314 balls (16 fours). This was also Wolvaardt's maiden 50-plus score in Tests as she has completed 186 runs across three games at 31. Her highest score in the format before this game was 16. Meanwhile, she became the second SA player after Mignon du Preez (102 versus India, 2014) to score a Women's Test ton as captain.
Wolvaardt scripts these records
Wolvaardt and Luus recorded the highest-ever partnership for SA in Women's Tests (190). The opener's 122 is now the second-highest individual score by a SA player in the format. She is only behind Marizanne Kapp (150 versus England, 2022). Wolvaardt also faced the most balls by a SA batter in an innings (314).
How has the game proceeded?
Batting first, India recorded the highest team total in Women's Tests (603/6). Centurions Shafali Verma (205) and Smriti Mandhana (149) recorded the second-highest partnership in Women's Tests (292 runs). The likes of Harmanpreet Kaur (69), Jemimah Rodrigues (55), and Richa Ghosh (86) also scored fifties. Sneh Rana's 8/77 meant SA managed 266 in their first innings. Following on, they have breached the 300-run mark.
