ICC Women’s CWC 2022 | It’s a great opportunity to beat Australia in an ODI: Laura Wolvaardt

The voguish South African batter Laura Wolvaardt seems confident in her team’s preparation ahead of the crucial clash against table-toppers Australia in Wellington on Tuesday (March 22). 

Although South Africa haven’t played a single ODI against the Southern Stars in the last five years, Wolvaardt expressed that the Proteas women have the experience of playing alongside Australian cricketers in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL).

Wolvaardt has played for both Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers in WBBL. Experienced stars Marizanne Kapp and Shabnim Ismail represented Perth Scorchers and Sydney Sixers, respectively, while Mignon du Preez and Chloe Tryon donned the attire of Hobart Hurricanes. 

Skipper for this tournament, Sune Luus has also donned Heats’ colours in the past; therefore, the 22-year-old believes that these experiences will be handy for preparing strategies against Australia.

On being asked whether the WBBL experience will be helpful for the green and gold women or not, Wolvaardt said, “I think it helps a lot. Australia is actually one of the sides we should be most prepared for because a lot of our girls have spent a lot of time playing in the same team and against a lot of their players.” 

The dynamic opener also reckoned that the experience of playing together works both ways, and therefore, it can prove to be an advantage or a disadvantage on a given day. 

“But I guess it goes both ways. We might know their games a bit better, and they might know ours as well, having spent some time over there. It’s an advantage and also a disadvantage”, Wolvaardt cited. 

Talking about their plans against the mighty Aussies, the right-handed batter said they wouldn’t take the opponents lightly and stressed seeing this game as just another normal one. However, she emphasised on keeping the basics right on the match day so that they could beat Australia for the very first time in an ODI.  

“Firstly, Australia are a world-class side. They are number 1 in the world. It’s not a game we are going to take lightly”, Wolvaardt expressed.

“I guess we just have to see it as a normal game. Watch the ball, we can’t go out there playing the player. It’s still about playing the ball. I don’t think we have ever beaten them in an ODI, so it’s a great opportunity to do that”, she further added. 

When enquired about her game plan against the fiery Australian new-ball bowler Darcie Brown, the Cape Town-born woman said she would like to play Brown’s first few overs cautiously and capitalise on the start later. 

“Obviously she has been taking some wickets upfront with the new ball and moving it nicely. For me, it will be about getting through those first few overs. They have some world-class bowlers and I have to respect the good balls and hopefully, we can set up a good score for the team”, she said. 

South Africa is currently at the second position in the points table with four victories from as many games, just below Australia. 

However, they will miss Masabata Klaas due to an injury and are expected to make at least one change against Australia tomorrow.