Wolvaardt scores record century as South Africa win T20 series against India

The captain struck 115 off 53 balls in a nine-wicket victory at the Wanderers on Wednesday night.

Laura Wolvaardt scored 115 runs off 53 balls as South Africa defeated India by nine wickets in the third T20 International at the Wanderers on Wednesday night, securing the series with two matches remaining.¹² The Proteas chased down India's target of 193 with 21 balls to spare.¹²

Wolvaardt set South African records for the fastest fifty, reaching the milestone in 23 balls, and the fastest century, completed in 48 balls, breaking her own previous marks in both instances.¹²³ The innings equalled her career best in the T20 format.¹² She struck 14 fours and five sixes, including one shot over long-on that travelled 15 rows back into the Centenary Stand.¹²³

Opening partner Suné Luus contributed 64 not out from 42 balls, hitting six fours and two sixes, the latter ending the match.¹² The opening partnership of 183 runs set another South African record.¹²

Wolvaardt, who turns 27 soon, attributed her performance to recent training efforts. "It was lekker. I've been working on my power hitting a lot in the last few years," she said after the match.³ She described her approach as finding a balance between aggressive strokeplay and her more traditional batting style. "It's about finding the balance between whacking it and keeping to the way I play, which is more traditional. Sometimes I lose my game because I'm trying to hit the ball too hard but I feel like I found the balance tonight. I kept my shape, but still hit some big shots," she said.³

Wolvaardt had previously demonstrated her power-hitting ability during the latter stages of the ODI World Cup, including in the semifinal and final in India last year.¹²³