READY FOR BATTLE The Proteas Women’s cricket team, skippered by Laura Wolvaardt (right), are preparing for the 50-over World Cup in India with a tri-series against India and Pakistan. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
As the Proteas women begin another important season, it’s all about putting in the groundwork now ahead of the 50-over Cricket World Cup, according to SA skipper Laura Wolvaardt.
The Proteas began their training camp at the Cricket SA (CSA) Centre of Excellence in Pretoria on Monday, ahead of their tri-series involving India and Pakistan starting later this month.
With all the players fully fit, the squad was able to spend time in the middle with simulated match conditions under the watchful eye of coach Mandla Mashimbyi.
With the Proteas women having last turned out against tourists England in December, it was good for the squad to get together again said Wolvaardt.
“Training camp's good. It's good to get back together. Obviously, we didn't have much game time since we had our England series,” Wolvaardt told IOL in an exclusive interview.
“I was at the IPL, played the three games, and didn't play much. So yeah, just [back to] training.
“It's good to get out in a match scenario sort of thing just to spend some time in the middle. So I think it'll be good for the group.”
The upcoming series in Sri Lanka should have similar conditions which will be encountered in the World Cup starting in September in India. For this reason, the Proteas will approach the tri-series with one eye on the big prize.
“I think it's very good that we have the series. Obviously, we have the 50-over World Cup this year, so I think just playing as much 50-over cricket as we can is going to be vital.
“[We’re] Very glad they've added the series. I think the gap would have been a bit too big without it.
“So yeah, very keen to head over there. Similar subcontinent conditions as well, which is good. Obviously the biggest event on our calendar, the 50-over World Cup is massive. It's sort of the ultimate prize and the ultimate goal for any cricketer.
“So yeah, I think it'll be all full steam ahead. Try to do whatever we can to get our hands on the trophy over there.”
The Proteas women’s side were actually the first SA senior side to make it to a Cricket World Cup final in 2023, having done so again in 2024 (both T20 tournaments). The men’s team, meanwhile, have only ever made one final - in the T20 World Cup last year, with India coming away victorious.
Though it could be expected that the Proteas women would want to be the first to win a Cricket World Cup, there was not that kind of competition between the sides.
“I think if either of us just gets it right it would be awesome. There's no competition but it would be awesome if we could get it done this year.”
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