The South African women’s cricket team is gearing up for their first matches since December last year as they participate in an ODI tri-series against hosts Sri Lanka and India. National captain Laura Wolvaardt emphasized the importance of this series in preparation for the upcoming Women’s World Cup, which will be held in India in September and October.
The tri-series kicked off in Colombo with India securing a nine-wicket victory over Sri Lanka. South Africa will begin their campaign against India on Tuesday, with Wolvaardt highlighting the significance of getting some match practice before the World Cup. The Proteas have not played a competitive match since their series against England at home last December.
Wolvaardt expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to play against strong teams in challenging conditions, which will help the squad adapt and improve their game. The tour also features three uncapped players in the national squad – Karabo Meso, Miané Smit, and Seshnie Naidu – with the captain hopeful that they will all get a chance to showcase their skills during the series.
For the experienced players, Wolvaardt believes that the tour will provide valuable experience in adjusting to sub-continent conditions, which will be crucial for their performance in the World Cup. The hot and humid weather in Sri Lanka is expected to be similar to what they will face in India later in the year, allowing the team to acclimatize to the challenging conditions.
After their match against India, South Africa will take on Sri Lanka before facing both teams again in the following week. The tri-series final is scheduled for next Sunday, providing the Proteas with a solid platform to fine-tune their game ahead of the Women’s World Cup. The team is focused on starting the series on the right foot and building momentum as they look to make an impact on the global stage.
