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As South Africa gears up for the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the UAE, captain Laura Wolvaardt is focused on building on the team’s remarkable journey in the previous edition. After reaching their inaugural final in 2023, Wolvaardt sees this upcoming tournament as a vital chance for the advancement of women’s cricket in South Africa.
Importance of 2023 World Cup
Looking back at the 2023 T20 World Cup, Wolvaardt highlighted the importance of their progress to the final. This accomplishment not only set a precedent for the players but also inspired future generations of cricketers in South Africa.
“Reaching our first-ever World Cup final in 2023 was a significant milestone for us. It was a crucial moment for breaking barriers and pushing boundaries as a team,” she shared in a conversation with ICC.
Laura Wolvaardt aims to break the jinx
Despite their groundbreaking success, Wolvaardt is keen to elevate South Africa’s standing by clinching their first T20 World Cup title. Her commitment to improvement reflected the team’s desire to transform past lessons into future victories.
“Prior to that [2023 T20 World Cup], we had reached the semi-finals multiple times, so advancing to the final was very meaningful for us as a unit. Now, we aim to take it a step further and lift the trophy, but anything can unfold in a T20 final after competing through the entire tournament,” she emphasized.
Also READ: Laura Wolvaardt sweeps top honors at Cricket South Africa Awards 2023-24
Level playing field in neutral grounds
The upcoming tournament, set to take place in Sharjah and Dubai, presents a distinct challenge, as no team will enjoy the benefit of playing in familiar conditions. Wolvaardt conveyed her enthusiasm about the neutral venues.
“I’m really looking forward to the T20 World Cup being hosted in Dubai and Sharjah. What’s intriguing is that it’s neutral ground for all teams. Most sides will enter with similar levels of experience in these conditions, having played there infrequently, which adds to the excitement,” Wolvaardt explained.
Wolvaardt highlights the need of adaptability
Given the significance of adapting to the playing conditions, Wolvaardt stressed the need for teams to be flexible. She noted: “It will be fascinating to see which team can adjust effectively to the conditions and grasp them quickly.”
As South Africa prepares for the tournament, Wolvaardt’s guidance will be essential in overcoming challenges, as they strive to break new barriers and secure their legacy in T20 cricket history.
