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Proteas Spinner Closes in on No.1 Ranking: 6 Key Ranking Shifts in Women’s T20Is
Proteas spinner closes in on No.1 ranking as South Africa’s Nonkululeko Mlaba continues her rapid rise in international cricket, putting significant pressure on Australia’s Annabel Sutherland at the top of the ICC Women’s T20I bowling charts.
Proteas spinner closes in on No.1 ranking following a series of impressive performances against Ireland that have reshaped the upper tier of the latest T20I rankings.
Nonkululeko Mlaba’s Ranking Surge Explained
Mlaba has been rewarded for her consistency and impact with the ball during the ongoing three-match T20I series against Ireland.
The left-arm spinner has claimed three wickets across the first two matches at an average of just 11.33, figures that underline her control and attacking threat in the shortest format.
Those returns have propelled her four places up the rankings, lifting her to sixth overall among T20I bowlers.
Proteas spinner closes in on No.1 ranking with Mlaba now sitting on 705 rating points — just 31 points shy of current No.1-ranked bowler Annabel Sutherland.
Tight Race at the Top of the Rankings
The gap separating the top bowlers in women’s T20I cricket has narrowed considerably, setting the stage for potential changes in the coming weeks.
Sutherland remains the benchmark, but Mlaba’s upward momentum means even one standout performance could see the Proteas spinner challenge for the top spot.
With more international fixtures on the horizon, the battle for supremacy among elite bowlers has rarely been more intense.
Proteas spinner closes in on No.1 ranking at a time when South Africa’s bowling unit is delivering across formats.
Multiple Proteas Benefit From Rankings Update
Mlaba isn’t the only South African player to make meaningful gains in the latest rankings release.
All-rounder Nadine de Klerk climbed two places to move into 45th on the list of T20I bowlers, driven by her four wickets across the opening two matches of the series.
Chloe Tryon also enjoyed a notable jump, rising 12 places to 49th among T20I bowlers after making strong contributions on home soil.
These changes reflect South Africa’s 2-0 series advantage over Ireland and their collective performance as a unit.
All-Rounders and Batters Also Make Gains
Proteas spinner closes in on No.1 ranking while several teammates make progress across other ranking categories.
Tryon gained seven positions to reach 12th on the rankings for T20I all-rounders, underlining her growing influence with both bat and ball.
Veteran all-rounder Sune Luus climbed nine places to sit 23rd on the same list following a productive series that yielded four wickets and 118 runs.
Luus also advanced in the batting rankings, jumping seven spots to 41st overall among T20I batters after scoring 81 and 37 in her two innings.
International Movement Beyond South Africa
The rankings update wasn’t limited to Proteas players alone.
Former South Africa captain Dane van Niekerk re-entered the T20I batting rankings in 82nd position following her return to international cricket.
For Ireland, Leah Paul emerged as a positive story, climbing nine places to 67th among T20I batters after compiling two important scores against South Africa.
These gains highlight the competitive nature of women’s international cricket and the growing depth among emerging nations.
Batting Rankings: Mooney Still Leads
Australia’s Beth Mooney continues to sit comfortably at No.1 on the T20I batting rankings.
However, South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt has closed the gap significantly, moving to fifth overall and now trailing Mooney by fewer than 50 rating points.
Wolvaardt’s recent scores of 115* and 22 were instrumental in South Africa’s series success and reflect her increasing reliability at the top of the order.
What Comes Next
Proteas spinner closes in on No.1 ranking with future series set to play a decisive role in shaping the ICC charts.
Mlaba’s rise signals South Africa’s strong pipeline of spin bowling talent and highlights the increasing balance within their squad.
Should her form continue, a new world No.1 bowler may soon emerge — a milestone moment for the Proteas and for women’s cricket.
Conclusion
The latest rankings update underscores how rapidly fortunes can shift at the elite level.
Proteas spinner closes in on No.1 ranking not by chance, but through sustained performance, pressure-handling, and impact at key moments.
As international competition intensifies, the coming weeks promise further movement — and possibly a change at the very top.
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By The Morning News Informer | Updated December 10, 2025