Proteas trio among top movers in latest ICC Women’s player standings

South Africa’s top performers have made notable gains in the latest ICC Women’s Player Rankings, following the completion of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 league stage.

All-rounder Marizanne Kapp, spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and seamer Masabata Klaas are among the biggest South African movers after strong performances helped the Proteas reach the semi-finals.

Kapp, Mlaba and Klaas among key climbers

Kapp’s consistency with the ball sees her rise one place to fourth in the bowling rankings. Mlaba has climbed to joint 10th alongside Pakistan’s Nashra Sundhu, while Klaas makes a four-place leap to 31st after another reliable showing with the ball.

In the same category, Australia’s Alana King — who took a tournament-record 7/18 against South Africa — has surged five spots to a career-best second position. England’s Sophie Ecclestone continues to lead the bowling table, with Charlie Dean moving up four spaces to 12th and one spot to 13th among the all-rounders.

New Zealand’s Lea Tahuhu climbed three places to 15th, while India’s Renuka Thakur, Kranti Gaud and Sree Charani jumped seven slots each to 19th, joint 25th and 30th respectively. England’s Lauren Bell rose one position to 24th, and Linsey Smith made the biggest move of the week, soaring 24 places to 36th.

Proteas pride as Kapp shines

Kapp’s steady form across the tournament continues to underscore her importance to the South African side. Alongside Mlaba’s breakthroughs and Klaas’s steady seam bowling, the Proteas trio’s rise in the global standings highlights the team’s growing depth and impact on the world stage.

The latest rankings update is headlined by Australia’s Ashleigh Gardner, who now features in the top three of all three lists. She has climbed six slots to second among batters, holds third in the bowlers’ rankings, and retains her No.1 position as the leading all-rounder.

Gardner’s surge follows her unbeaten 104 in Australia’s successful chase of 245 against England, when she arrived at the crease with her team struggling at 68/4. Her partner in that match, Annabel Sutherland, who finished on 98 not out, has rocketed 16 places to a career-best 16th in the batting rankings, moved up one place to seventh among bowlers, and shifted one spot to fourth among all-rounders.

Indian and English players on the rise

India’s Pratika Rawal scored 308 runs during the league stage before being ruled out with an ankle injury. She has climbed 12 positions to a career-best 27th in the batting rankings.

England, which closed the group stage with an eight-wicket victory over New Zealand, also features prominently in the week’s movements. Amy Jones is up four places to ninth, while Tammy Beaumont jumps seven to 14th.

Across all three ranking lists, players from the semi-finalist nations — Australia, South Africa, England and India — continue to dominate as the World Cup enters its knockout phase.