South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt believes her team’s repeated near-misses at ICC events have made the team even more determined to win its first senior women’s world title. The South African captain also said the return of veteran pacer Shabnim Ismail has boosted the side ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.South Africa have reached three ICC T20 World Cup finals in the last three years across men’s and women’s cricket but are still searching for their first senior women’s ICC title.In the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup at home, South Africa lost to Australia by 19 runs in the final. A year later in Dubai, they were beaten by New Zealand by 32 runs in another final.Ahead of the upcoming tournament, Wolvaardt said the team is motivated to finally go all the way.“Reaching back-to-back T20 World Cup finals has obviously been very special for us as a team, but I think it has also made us even hungrier to go one step further,” Wolvaardt wrote in an ICC column.South Africa also finished runners-up in the ICC ODI Women’s Cricket World Cup final in India last year, losing to the co-hosts. However, the team heads into the T20 World Cup after a 4-1 T20I series win at home against the India led by Harmanpreet Kaur.“The India series was another good test against one of the strongest teams in the world,” Wolvaardt said.“Winning that series gave the group a lot of confidence, but more importantly, it showed the ability and resilience within the squad.“Players stepped up at different times and that is something you need at a World Cup,” she continued.Wolvaardt herself had a strong series, scoring 330 runs in five T20Is at a strike rate of 168.37. Her performances included one century and three half-centuries.“Personally, it has been one of my most enjoyable seasons,” Wolvaardt said.“I think a big part of that has come from clarity in my game and just enjoying my cricket. I have tried not to put too much pressure on myself and instead focus on contributing to the team in whatever way is needed.”South Africa were further strengthened by the return of Ismail, who had retired from international cricket after the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. The 37-year-old fast bowler returns with 297 international wickets and recent franchise cricket form behind her.“Having Shabnim Ismail back is very exciting for us. Everyone knows the quality and experience she brings.”“She is one of the best fast bowlers in the world and someone who can change a game very quickly.”“Beyond her skill, she also brings a level of gees (Afrikaans word for vibe) to the group, and I know the team is really happy to have her back in Proteas colours again, to hopefully help us go that one step further and lift the trophy,” she added.South Africa are in Group 1 of the Women’s T20 World Cup along with India, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.The tournament will feature a record prize money pool of USD 8,764,615, which is 10 per cent higher than the 2024 edition.
