Laura Wolvaardt shows her aggressive side against RCB

Laura Wolvaardt is as consistent as they come, but a strike rate of 168.89 isn’t something you associate her with. The 24-year-old, on Wednesday (March 6), registered her 27th fifty in T20 cricket, and only twice has she operated at a better strike rate. 

The batter from South Africa slammed 76 off 45 deliveries against Royal Challengers Bangalore in Match 13 of the 2024 Women’s Premier League and made Gujarat Giants’ decision of not playing her in the first two games look even more ridiculous.

The Giants were clearly the worst batting unit in the first half of the tournament, averaging just 17.7 and scoring 6.4 runs per over in their first four games. Not a single batter had touched the 50-run mark. What’s more, their opening combination was averaging 20.1 and had a strike rate of only 90.9, almost 40 less than the second worst.

Coming into this game, Gujarat’s batting unit was under tremendous pressure and desperately needed some runs from the top order. And Wolvaardt, who had scores of 28 and 0 in her first two outings, came out all guns blazing and put RCB under pressure straight away.

It wasn’t surprising to see her score runs, but not many would have expected her to dominate the way she did. 

If you look at her T20I numbers for South Africa, Wolvaardt has 675 runs in 19 innings @ 45 since 2023. However, her strike rate in this period is only 109.4. She is someone you would normally associate as an anchor.

But tonight was all about making a statement and that’s exactly what Wolvaardt did. We all know how much she loves playing those drives and flicks, and Sophie Devine made her life easier by bowling those full-length deliveries in the first over.

Wolvaardt got off the mark with a couple of runs through the point region and then got two fours through the leg side to get her innings going. Skipper Beth Mooney was happy to take the backseat and allow Wolvaardt to dictate terms. 

Renuka Singh and Sophie Molineux also struggled in the next four overs as the Giants raced to 54/0 by the end of five overs, with Wolvaardt slamming 30 of those, that too off just 19 deliveries. In the process, Gujarat put up their first 50-run opening stand in the WPL.

Wolvaardt ended the powerplay with a strike rate of 145.45 but was even more aggressive in the middle overs, going at 191.3. The right-hander walked out with a simple game plan - that was to put the bowler under pressure in the first half of the over. Georgia Wareham was driven for four off her second delivery, while Asha Sobhana was pulled towards deep mid-wicket.

With Smriti Mandhana running out of options, Ellyse Perry was introduced into the attack in the ninth over, but Wolvaardt was having none of her. The ace Australian all-rounder was smoked for three consecutive fours, allowing Wolvaardt to complete her third WPL fifty in seven innings. 

Coincidentally, Wolvaardt was brought in as a replacement for injured Mooney last season, and it was with her she put on an opening partnership of 140 in 13 overs, the second-highest in the WPL. She was eventually run out in the 13th over after having crafted 13 fours in 45 balls.

“Was awesome batting out there tonight. Had a tough couple of games coming into this, but all my shots came off tonight. The outfield is quick, there's one short side, just had to place it. Didn't want to get sucked towards the short side too early,” said Wolvaardt who scored runs at both sides of the wicket. 

The Giants started the 2024 edition with Veda Krishnamurthy opening alongside Mooney before putting Harleen Deol at the top in the second game. While Veda got out for a duck against Mumbai, Harleen wasted 31 deliveries for her 22 against RCB. The management soon realised they needed someone solid and experienced at the top, in walked Wolvaardt.

Despite having scored 143 runs in four innings @ 35.75 and a strike rate of 140.2 in the first season, Gujarat didn’t bother to start with Wolvaardt and ended up getting completely rolled over. Wolvaardt got a start against UP Warriorz but couldn’t capitalise. Then, against Delhi Capitals, she was knocked over for a duck.

But it was always going to be impossible to keep a batter of her calibre quiet for too long, and on Wednesday at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, everyone got to witness a Laura Wolvaardt special. 

Consider that strike rate; you could add ‘extra’ in front of the special.