Laura Wolvaardt Biography :
A teenage batting sensation, Laura Wolvaardt is a batter who plays for South African Women’s cricket team. At such a young age of 20, she has already played 64 international matches in both shorter formats. Laura has been displaying quite maturity from such a young age. Her graph has been increasing day by day.
When she was still in high school, she made her international debut. She is the youngest South African (male and female both) to accumulate a century. She has been named in the South African squad for the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia. She has also played 2018 ICC World Cup Twenty20 in West Indies. She currently sits at number 9 in ICC ODI rankings.
Early life
She was born on April 26, 1999 in Milnerton, South Africa. She is excellent in academics and wanted to pursue Medicine as a career. She never planned to make Cricket as a profession but destiny had other plans. In the domestic cricket team, she plays for Western Province women. She has graduated from Parklands College with flying colours. She topped the class with distinction.
She was elevated to the South Africa girls U-19 team at the age of 13 and was named CSA U-19 Player of the year in 2014. She has also captained the U-19 team.
Debut
ODIs- 2016 vs England Women
T20s- 2016 vs Ireland Women
Career stats
ODIs- 47 M/ 1754 runs/ 45.0 avg/ 64.0 SR
T20s- 17M/ 269 runs/ 17.9 avg / 95.0 SR
Professional career
Cricket is a very harsh game. It doesn’t give you many chances if you fail. All teenage cricketers bring an aura to the field. There is always an expectation from fans around the world.Despite her ‘not so great numbers’ in T20s, an average of 45 in ODIs shows her grit. Her batting technique with the solid defence has earned her the high praises from Cricket Pundits.
She made her debut in 2016 at a young age of 16 against heavyweights England. She showed her character in the second game of the series with her maiden half century. She scored a match winning 105 against Ireland Women in Malahide to be recognised as the youngest to score a century. In 2017, she was awarded the Newcomer of the year at CSA Awards.
She played in the 2017 Women’s Big Bash league as an injury replacement of Grace Harris in Brisbane Heat squad. In next season, she again signed with Brisbane Heat to help her team in winning cause.
She has played 20 matches in the league scoring close to a hundred runs.
She was one of the 14 cricket players to be awarded the central contract by Cricket South Africa in 2018.
She was named in Terblanche XI squad for the first addition of Women’s T20 Super League in South Africa.
Playing role- Opening batter
Batting style- Right handed
Bowling- don’t bowl
Team’s played for- Terblanche XI, South Africa women, Brisbane Heat
Formats played- ODIs and T20Is
Public Life
She is a fine example and icon for the youth who want to study and play sports at the same time. Her academic scores are the fair example of her grit and maturity. She has managed to find a balance between studies and sports.
She has enrolled herself in Medicine. Her hobbies include singing and writing songs. Her Alma Mater Parklands College uploaded a music video dedicated to Laura and showcasing her allround talent.
She is enrolled in a six-year medicine degree at Stellenbosch University.
Batting is just my favourite thing to do; it’s my hobby,” said Wolvaardt in an interview to BBC sports. “Whenever I’m busy with exams or something and I have an hour off, I go and bat because that’s what I like to do for fun”.
Full Name- Laura Wolvaardt
Nickname- NA
Age- 20 years old
Hometown- Milnerton, Cape Town, South Africa
Zodiac sign- Taurus
Nationality- South Africa
Date of birth- April 26, 1999
School- Parklands College
University- Stellenbosch University
Estimated Net worth- NA
