Dubai, Sep 23 (NationPress) Laura Wolvaardt, the captain of South Africa, expressed that being given the honor to lead her national team in the Women’s Cricket World Cup is not only a thrilling challenge but also a significant privilege for her.

Wolvaardt conveyed her appreciation for the captaincy role in the World Cup, emphasizing the contrasts between T20I and ODI cricket. She mentioned that the 50-over format demands more strategic decisions.

“Leading South Africa at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup is incredibly special. While I captained during the Women’s T20 World Cup last year, the ODI format brings a different set of pressures and requires more tactical choices. In T20s, after the powerplay, the game can feel more straightforward; however, in ODIs, one must consistently evaluate when to attack and when to defend. It is a tremendous honor and an exhilarating challenge, and I feel very grateful to lead this team,” Wolvaardt shared in her column for the ICC.

South Africa has made it to consecutive finals in the T20 World Cup in the last two editions, finishing as runners-up against Australia and New Zealand. Yet, the Proteas have not reached an ODI World Cup final, with their best outcomes being semi-final appearances in 2000, 2017, and 2022.

On the team's preparations for this year’s tournament, Wolvaardt stated, “We’ve had solid preparation for this event and have gleaned valuable lessons from previous ICC tournaments. In the last few ODI World Cups, we reached the semi-finals. I remember the pain of that first semi-final loss in 2017; it truly affected the group, but it also made us realize we could compete with the best teams globally. Qualifying for a final is more a matter of 'when' than 'if.' Our confidence is robust as we enter this tournament.”

“We aim to maintain our momentum and must play exceptional cricket under challenging conditions, but I firmly believe we have a strong squad of 15 players ready for this journey, and I’m genuinely excited for the tournament,” she added.

Wolvaardt analyzed her squad’s strengths, highlighting key players and her expectations of them.

“We have a deep batting lineup, with numerous all-rounders providing varied bowling options, which is thrilling for me as a captain. Our middle order has been performing well lately, with players such as Chloé Tryon, Annerie Dercksen, and Nadine de Klerk finishing games effectively. Marizanne Kapp is one of South Africa's finest players; she consistently shines in critical moments. Nonkululeko Mlaba has also been outstanding, and I believe she will be instrumental in subcontinent conditions. I eagerly anticipate watching her bowl in India,” Wolvaardt expressed.

Wolvaardt acknowledged that competing against teams with some of the best players presents a challenge, with every opponent being formidable. However, they plan to take it one match at a time, focusing on overcoming obstacles.

“In subcontinent conditions, local teams gain a significant advantage. We’ve faced defeats against New Zealand in a World Cup final, and teams like Australia and England are always formidable. The key for us is to trust the process and tackle each game sequentially. We must avoid getting ahead of ourselves – it’s a lengthy tournament filled with cricket, so remaining present and concentrating on our performance is crucial. Each opponent will be challenging, particularly in these conditions where local players excel against spin and possess crafty bowling skills. Teams like Australia, India, and New Zealand come well-prepared; thus, no match is easy,” she emphasized.

The 26-year-old expressed her gratitude towards the supporters, stating that having such robust backing from fans at home fills the team with pride.

“To our fans back home – sports have an incredible ability to unite people in South Africa. The thought of families and friends coming together to watch us compete is profoundly special. It makes us proud as a team to know that we have such support. We aspire to make our country and families proud. Every ounce of encouragement drives us to be a united force on the field and hopefully brings the nation together. We’re incredibly excited, and I hope everyone tunes in to support us,” she concluded.