ICC Women’s Player of the Month nominees for October 2025
After a sensational month of cricket, we have three best performers in the run for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for October.
After a brilliant month of cricket which saw high-quality action in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025, we have our candidates for the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for October 2025.
Laura Wolvaardt's valiant century | Player Highlights | CWC25
Watch South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt's highlights from her knock during the the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup Final clash between India and South Africa.
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa)
Wolvaardt was South Africa’s mainstay on the field as a batter and a captain. The Proteas had a shaky start to the Women's Cricket World Cup after a shock loss to England in their tournament opener, a game in which they were bowled out for a paltry 69.
The team found its way back during their third league stage encounter against India, where Wolvaardt played a defining role with her 70, before Nadine de Klerk’s clean hitting took the game away from the hosts.
Wolvaardt kept improving with each game, hitting half-centuries against Sri Lanka and Pakistan as the Proteas made it to the knock-out round.
Up against England in the semi-final, who had proved to be their nemesis in the opening round, Wolvaardt didn’t give an inch as she smashed an all-time great Cricket World Cup knock. Her 169 was more than half of South Africa’s 319, and eventually turned out to be too formidable for England.
Under Wolvaardt’s captaincy, the Proteas made their first-ever Women’s World Cup final. Her fine performances helped her reach the pole position in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings.
From consistency at #CWC25 to supremacy in the ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings 👏
— ICC (@ICC) November 4, 2025
Laura Wolvaardt becomes the world's premier batter once again 🌟
Read more 👉 https://t.co/jpcnuA3Hbn pic.twitter.com/bxfAwnvWK8
Smriti Mandhana (India)
Much like Wolvaardt, Smriti Mandhana was expected to lead India’s charge at the top, and proved equal to the task.
After a relatively quiet start, Mandhana came into her own with a blistering 80 against Australia, followed by a resolute 88 versus England.
While India lost both these games by a fine margin, it was clear that one of the positives for them going into the must-win encounter against New Zealand was Mandhana’s form.
Placement and precision by Mandhana | CWC25
Watch Smriti Mandhana's glorious boundary in the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash between India and England.
And the batter delivered with a brilliant 109, during which she stitched a match-winning stand of 212 with Pratika Rawal.
Mandhana remained in good touch until the end, providing starts to the side against Bangladesh and Australia.
Ash Gardner's impeccable ton | Player Highlights | CWC25
Watch Ash Gardner's match-winning century during the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup clash between Australia and England.
Ash Gardner (Australia)
Ash Gardner’s exceptional run in the Cricket World Cup saw her reach the top three in both ODI Batting and Bowling Rankings in the last week of the tournament.
She contributed in almost every single outing, producing centuries in wins against rivals New Zealand (115) and England (104*). Of these, the latter stood out as Gardner walked in after Australia were 68/4 and then produced a brilliant partnership of 180 with Annabel Sutherland, in which she added 104 runs off 73 balls, with 16 fours to her name.
Her seven scalps in the month showed that she was a handy asset with the ball, providing key support with the ball.