After securing a place in another global semi-final, Proteas player Laura Wolvaardt admits the hosts must find a way to overcome the mental pressure if they are to progress to the final of the Women’s T20 World Cup in Cape Town.
Last second in Pool A – sneaking through the net run level after finishing level on points with New Zealand and Sri Lanka – the SA women will face England in the second semi-final of the tournament on Saturday. The first semi-final will be contested between defending champions Australia and India at the same venue on Thursday.
In the last four World Cup tournaments contested (in both T20 and ODI formats) the Proteas women have reached the semi-finals three times, but a place in the global finals remains elusive.
Mental strength
To advance to this week’s cup contest, Wolvaardt feels the key will be his ability to deal with pressure on the ground.
“We have to have a lot of discussions about how to stay mentally strong,” Wolvaardt said.
“I think we have talent and skill, it’s just a mental game in the semifinals.”
Wolvaardt led the charge on Tuesday night, as the Proteas secured a convincing win over Bangladesh to cement their place in the semi-finals.
Still on the hunt
Both openers – Wolvaardt and Tazmin Brits – carried the bat through the innings, with Wolvaardt racking up 66 off 56 balls, while Brits contributed 50 off 51 deliveries.
Chasing 114 runs to win, he hit an unbeaten 117 to wrap up victory with 13 balls to spare, still in the hunt for the trophy.
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Now preparing to take on England in the penultimate round, Wolvaardt is confident of his ability to beat the former T20 world champions and secure a place in his first World Cup final.
“They’re a quality team and we’ve lost a lot of semifinals against them, which isn’t fair,” Wolvaardt said of his semifinal opponent.
“He plays an explosive, attacking brand of cricket, so I think we have to discuss how we can work against him.”