'Catches win matches' is an iconic phrase in cricket. Sensational fielding efforts, catches or diving stops can make such a difference in today's fast-paced era of professional cricket. On Monday (October 6) in Indore, South Africa's captain Laura Wolvaardt raised the benchmark for catching in the ongoing 2025 Women's ODI World Cup.
Arguably the catch of the tournament thus far, Wolvaardt took a hyper-reflext catching leaping backward at cover to dismiss New Zealand's Lea Tahuhu who became the ninth wicket to fall. On most days, that powerful stroke would have cleared the infield and raced away to the fence for a boundary. Not today, as Wolvaardt stretched every bit of her agility levels to pluck an absolute blinder.
Wolvaardt's brilliance was the cherry on top for what was an outstanding fielding exhibition from South Africa, thereby triggering a huge New Zealand collapse. At one stage, they were going great guns at 187/3 in the 39th over, with Sophie Devine (85 off 98) and Brooke Halliday (45 off 37) on song. However, once the partnership was broken, New Zealand capitulated.
The last seven White Ferns's wickets fell for just 44 runs, largely due to some electric fielding from South Africa who created run out chances and took some superb catches with their skipper topping the charts. On a good batting surface in Indore, New Zealand's total of 231 is statistically well below-par, particularly with the venue's historic chasing bias.