As women’s cricket continues to scale new heights, December 2025 offered a thrilling showcase of elite performances across formats. From explosive batting displays to complete all-round dominance, the final month of the year saw players rise to the biggest moments with authority. Recognising these outstanding contributions, the ICC has announced three nominees for the Women’s Player of the Month award; Laura Wolvaardt, Shafali Verma, and Sune Luus, each of whom left an undeniable mark with their brilliance.
Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt capped off an extraordinary 2025 by extending her rich vein of form into December, further underlining her status as one of the finest batters in the women’s game. Fresh from a dominant ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup, the South African skipper produced yet another masterclass during the home series against Ireland.
Wolvaardt was simply unstoppable in the T20I leg, headlining the opening match with a breathtaking unbeaten 115. Her innings was a blend of elegance and brute force, featuring 15 boundaries and four sixes, all struck at a staggering strike rate of over 205. She carried that momentum seamlessly into the ODI series, anchoring the innings from the top.
After a steady start in the first ODI, Wolvaardt took complete command with back-to-back centuries, a fluent 124 followed by an unbeaten 100, steering South Africa to a dominant 3-0 sweep. Across the ODI series, she piled up 255 runs at an astonishing average of 127.5, while also maintaining a strike rate that reflected her attacking intent. Her December numbers across formats painted the picture of a batter operating at the peak of her powers.
Shafali Verma
Shafali Verma’s December was all about fearless intent and match-winning impact. The Indian opener lit up the five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, providing India with blazing starts that set the tone for a comprehensive 5-0 whitewash.
After easing into the series, Shafali exploded into form from the second match onwards. Her unbeaten 69 guided India home comfortably, and she followed it up with another dominant 79* in the third T20I, wrapping up the chase with ease. The highlight of her month came in the fourth T20I, where she played a starring role in a record-breaking partnership alongside Smriti Mandhana.
Her attacking 79 off 46 balls powered India to their highest-ever women’s T20I total of 221, underlining her ability to change the course of a match within a few overs. Over the course of the series, Shafali amassed 241 runs at a jaw-dropping strike rate of 181.20, averaging over 80. Her consistent fireworks rightfully earned her the Player of the Series award and placed her firmly among the month’s top performers.
Sune Luus
While the spotlight often shines brightest on batters, Sune Luus ensured December belonged equally to all-round excellence. The South African stalwart played a pivotal role in her side’s clean sweeps over Ireland in both T20I and ODI formats, contributing decisively with both bat and ball.
Luus set the tone early in the T20I series with a superb all-round display in the opening match, scoring a commanding 81 at the top of the order before backing it up with a four-wicket haul. She followed it with another valuable contribution in the second T20I as South Africa posted a towering total.
Her influence only grew in the ODI series. Luus top-scored with an unbeaten 66 in the first match while also chipping in with the ball. In the second ODI, she delivered a landmark performance, registering her second career century with a commanding 114 and once again contributing with a wicket. Across the ODIs, she averaged over 100 with the bat while maintaining excellent economy and wicket-taking ability, underlining her value as a genuine match-winner.
Each nominee brought a unique impact to their team’s success, making the race for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month a compelling one.
