Exclusive: Laura Wolvaardt Caps Off Record-Breaking 2024 with Triple ICC Award Nominations

Laura Wolvaardt, captain of the Proteas Women’s cricket team, has capped off an extraordinary 2024 season, earning nominations in three categories for the ICC Awards: Women’s Player of the Year, ODI Player of the Year, and T20I Player of the Year. These accolades underscore her consistent brilliance and confirm her status as one of the best players in the world.

Humbled by ICC Nominations

Expressing her delight at the recognition, Wolvaardt reflected on the team’s success and her contributions.

"I am super honoured and happy to be nominated for the award. It is a nice way to look back at the year, a successful year for us as a team. Obviously making it into the final of the World Cup and it was nice that I was able to contribute to the team within the year," Wolvaardt told SportsBoom.com. 

Securing the No. 1 Spot in ODI Rankings

Wolvaardt ended 2024 as the world’s top-ranked ODI batter, a testament to her leadership and consistency.

"Very cool to enter the 2025 year as the number 1 batter. It is definitely something growing up, you sort of want to be the best batter in the world and that is what I always wanted to be."

"The challenge now is to stay there, I think the rankings are updated weekly and it is tough to stay there. It will be a good challenge for me now, to be nice and consistent and make sure I stay up there as long as I can."

Was 2024 Her Best Year Yet?

With a staggering ODI average of over 87, more than 600 runs in T20s, and 223 runs in three Test matches, 2024 stands as Wolvaardt’s most prolific year.

"2024 was definitely my best year. I have never been nominated in all three categories before for the ICC awards. I think I just been nominated as ODI Player of the Year only once, so to be in all three categories is awesome."

"Personally, it has been a good year for me. The winter I had before the start of this season, I had really big one [preseason] focusing on specifics for a couple of months. Then had a nice conditioning break and its nice to see it paid off in the season."

"Obviously it coincided with my captaincy, its pretty cool that I can still do well for the team. Even with the captaincy, it has really challenged me as a player as well. But it has been a great year of learning for me as a player and captain."

Eyes Set on the 2025 World Cup

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is set to be the highlight of 2025, and Wolvaardt is determined to guide her team to glory.

"The main one for us is the 50-over World Cup that we have at the end of the year...it is a huge year for us. It is only every four years that we get to play in that competition and it is the ultimate competition there is in the women's game...in my opinion. To make the final and hopefully win that one will be very very special."

"It is full steam ahead to the World Cup, that is definitely the main goal."

Laura Wolvaardt’s remarkable 2024 season has laid a strong foundation for a potentially historic 2025, as the Proteas Women look to build on their success and aim for their first major ICC trophy.