South Africa's Laura Wolvaardt reacts after dismissed with a leg before wicket (lbw) by Australia's Megan Schutt (not seen) during the final T20 women's World Cup cricket match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt said a couple minor mistakes proved costly in their Women’s T20 World Cup defeat to England on Monday. Picture: Marco Longari/AFP
Following their Women’s T20 World Cup loss to England in Sharjah on Monday, Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt said her charges were left frustrated after being right in the contest.
It may seem on paper a somewhat one-sided victory for England as they won by seven wickets with four balls to spare, as they chased down the 125 set by South Africa.
However, the Proteas attack were pegging back the England batters early on in their chase.
Overall though, Wolvaardt said their little mistakes proved costly.
Following their Women’s T20 World Cup loss to England in Sharjah on Monday, Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt said her charges were left frustrated after being right in the contest.
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“Yeah, [we were] 10 to 20 short with the bat. We obviously didn't take our chances in the field either. I think if we had scored 140, took Danny’s [Danni Wyatt-Hodge] catch early, Kaapsi’s [Marizanne Kapp] catch early, I think it would have been a different game.”
South Africa would have been disappointed to only post a total of 124/6 in their 20 overs, as each of the top six batters except Chloe Tryon (2) made a good start.
Wolvaardt top scored with 42 from 39, but decent contributions from Kapp (26 from 17) and Annerie Dercksen (20 from 11) helped the Proteas post a total they had some chance of defending.
“It was not the easiest wicket to bat on. And we thought Kaapi was bowling really well, so I brought her back for that third over.
“It was almost a double wicket over, so that would have been really great heading out of the power play. But yeah, I just thought the way that Kaapi and I started was amazing.”
It’s no secret that Kapp is one of, if not the star of the Proteas lineup with her strong contributions with both the willow and leather. A move up the batting order for the Proteas was something they may be considering, revealed Wolvaardt.
“Yeah, she's traditionally batted three for us in the past, but Anneke [Bosch] was striking it really well leading up to this.
“And Marizanne obviously has quite a hectic workload as a seaming all-rounder. But yeah, I think that's something that our batting coach, has been thinking about for many hours in his room, and I'm sure he has a reason behind the lineup as it is. But yeah, [we’re] definitely open to any changes.”
The Proteas take on Scotland in their third Group B match on Wednesday in Dubai.