In-form Wolvaardt searches for maiden World Cup ton: 'It's something I've thought about'

Proteas opener Laura Wolvaardt hopes to convert her half-centuries into centuries ahead of their Women's Cricket World Cup clash against Australia at Basin Reserve.

The Proteas women are unbeaten in the World Cup thus far and take on log leaders Australia in Wellington on Tuesday.

If South Africa triumphs, they'll join Australia in the semi-finals, although the Proteas still have two games against India and West Indies remaining.

READ: Lloyd Burnard | Fight, hunger, passion: Proteas women are SA cricket's finest ambassadors

Wolvaardt has been in exceptional form in New Zealand and is the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament.

The 22-year-old has scored three consecutive half-centuries - 75, 77 and 67 - and has scored 260 runs in four games so far.

Wolvaardt hopes to convert her half-centuries and score her maiden World Cup century.

"It is something I've thought about. It's not nice going out three times in the 70s or 60s and not quite getting to the 100 when I really want to score 100 in a World Cup," Wolvaardt told reporters on Monday.

"But I guess it's not the worst problem to have either. I could be sitting here with four ducks or something like that. It's obviously a bit frustrating.

"If I find myself in that situation again, I might just take a bit of extra focus or an extra second before I face the ball to make sure I'm watching properly. Hopefully, it comes right next game."

Wolvaardt, who has played with the Adelaide Strikers in the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL), hopes to use that experience to get on top of the world number one Australia.

I think it helps a lot. They are one of the sides we should be most prepared for because a lot of our girls have spent a lot of time playing in the same team and against a lot of