The Proteas Women team will hope to go one step further as they begin their quest for ICC Women’s T20 World Cup glory on Friday in the desert plains of the United Arab Emirates.
It was less than 18 months ago when Suné Luus’ side shattered the glass ceiling by becoming the first senior South African senior cricket team to reach a World Cup final, which was played before raucous home support at a sold-out Newlands in Cape Town.
Unfortunately, the juggernaut Australian team just had too much experience on the day for the the South African side and emerged triumphant.
Much has changed, though, since the balmy afternoon under Table Mountain, with star batter Laura Wolvaardt taking over the leadership reins from Luus and long-serving coach Hilton Moreeng having relocated to the United States.
“Last year was great, but obviously a bit different now. I think most players who have played in the team have never played under anyone besides Hilton (Moreeng). But Dillon (du Preez), who’s taken over, has been with us for four or five years. So, he still knows how things were and where we’re headed,” Wolvaardt said.
The skipper remains the team’s premier batter, with 529 runs at an average of 44.08 and strike-rate of 127.77 over the past 12 months, since she’s worn the captain’s armband.
The stylish right-hander, who looked as comfortable on a camel this week as she is at the crease, will no doubt lead the charge against former champions West Indies at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium today (12pm start).
“I’m not the biggest sort of wild animal type of person, so it was definitely one of the strangest things that I think I’ve done on a cricket field (ride a camel), but it was good fun. We looked quite badass with the camels and the birds, so yeah, it was fun,” Wolvaardt said.
“Regarding the captaincy, I think I maybe just don’t think about my batting as much, which is a good thing. I tend to be a bit of an over-thinker in my hotel room.
“So, I think it just distracts me a bit on the field, and sort of think about the game in a different way – think more about bowling plans and conditions and that sort of thing.”
The Proteas, who still boast the core of the squad that finished runners-up last year, are in Group B alongside the Windies, England, Bangladesh and Scotland in a bid to reach the semi-finals.
The professionalisation of the women’s game over the past few years, along with the launch of lucrative T20 leagues around the world, has raised the standard and quality of cricket to unprecedented levels.
Wolvaardt is a regular in India’s Women’s Premier League, The Hundred in England and Australia’s Big Bash, along with SA teammates such as star all-rounders Marizanne Kapp, Chloe Tyron and Nadine de Klerk.
They are, though, without fast bowler Shabnim Ismail, who retired from international cricket after last year’s T20 World Cup final to focus solely on playing in the franchise leagues.
Wolvaardt, however, still believes her team have the overall quality to deliver a strong performance in the UAE.
“I think we’re a very talented group of players. I think we’ve had a few ups and downs in recent times, but I like to think that we’ve put in a lot of good hard work, and have a lot of really clear plans heading into this World Cup,” she said.
“So, hopefully we’re peaking at the right time. And I think if we all play our best cricket, then we stand a really good chance.”