Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt is upbeat ahead of their opening Tri-Series ODI against India in Colombo on Tuesday.
India will be playing their second match of the series after securing a nine-wicket victory against hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday.
On Monday, Wolvaardt expressed confidence in the Proteas Women’s preparation for the tournament.
“We’ve had some good prep. We had some camps during the last couple of months where we did scenario-type stuff to replicate the game time that we didn’t have. Hopefully, we’re able to start tomorrow on the right foot.”
“It’s been a good few days [in Colombo]. We mainly used the time to get used to conditions and the heat, especially. It’s been very hot and humid here, a lot different to what we’re used to at home, where it’s a bit cooler at the moment. The cricket conditions as well, getting used to the ground, and spending some time in the nets has been good, and we are ready to go tomorrow.”
History and recent ODI results between the Proteas Women and India favour the latter, with a record of 18 wins in 31 matches. Despite this, South Africa head into the encounter with renewed energy as they build towards the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup in India later this year under new head coach Mandla Mashimbyi.
“It’s our first full tour with Coach Mandla,” said Wolvaardt. “So far, he’s been great. He’s come with a big presence, already implemented a lot of changes, and does things differently to what we’ve maybe done in the past. I hope it’ll be good for the group going forward.
“For me, I’m just wanting to spend as much time in the middle as I can in the subcontinent before the main event in India. Batting time in the subcontinent is something that you can’t really replicate at home, and for the players it will just be about conditions and spending as much time in the middle as we can.”
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When asked about the importance of the tour and the tools that the team has to achieve success in the Tri-Series against strong opposition, Wolvaardt highlighted the value of the three-team ODI tournament as well as the bowling options available to her..
“A Tri-Series like this is great. It sort of gives a World Cup kind of feel where you have to prep for different teams in the same tournament and hopefully qualify for a final. I think we have a bit of everything with the ball, which is awesome. It’s probably the most spinners that I’ve had in a squad since I’ve been captain, so I’m quite excited about that.
“A key player may be Nonkululeko Mlaba. I think these conditions will really suit her. She’s been getting a lot of spin in the nets, so I think she could be quite a handful.”
Proteas Women ODI squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c, Titans), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits (Lions), Nadine de Klerk (WP), Annerie Dercksen (Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Masabata Klaas (Titans), Suné Luus (Titans), *Karabo Meso (Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins), Nondumiso Shangase (Dolphins), Miané Smit (Knights), Chloé Tryon (Lions).
Women’s ODI Tri-Series fixtures (all 6:30am SA time):
Sunday, 27 April: India beat Sri Lanka by nine wickets
Tuesday, 29 April: India vs South Africa
Friday, 2 May: Sri Lanka vs South Africa
Sunday, 4 May: Sri Lanka vs India
Wednesday, 7 May: South Africa vs India
Friday, 9 May: Sri Lanka vs South Africa
Sunday, 11 May: Final
