THE ICC Women’s T20 World Cup gets under way today in the United Arab Emirates, with hosts Bangladesh set to play the opener against Scotland in Sharjah.
South Africa will be in action tomorrow as they take on a very dangerous West Indies side at Dubai International Cricket Stadium (12pm start).
The Proteas Women head into the tournament with a squad that has a balanced mix of youngsters who are in their maiden World Cup campaigns, and senior players who know about tournament pressure very well.
In the back-room staff, the side are missing coach Hilton Moreeng, who’s contract was not renewed earlier this year.
However, Dillon du Preez – Moreeng’s long-serving assistant coach – has assumed the interim head coach role.
South Africa have also added a batting and fielding coach, as well as a spin lead – all expertise that the side has never had at their disposal before.
Former Warriors and Sunrisers Eastern Cape assistant coach Baakier Abrahams has come in as the batting coach, former Eastern Storm assistant Bongani Ndaba has been added as the fielding coach, while Cricket SA spin lead Paul Adams is on tour with the team for the duration of the World Cup.
With all this expertise at their disposal in the UAE, Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt believes they are in good stead to perform at this World Cup.
“It’s obviously a bit different now. I think most players who have played in the team have never played under anyone besides Hilton (Moreeng),” Wolvaardt said at the Captain’s Day yesterday.
Two falcons 🦅
Two camels 🐫
10 captains 😎
ONE trophy 🏆
It’s all happening in the UAE! #T20WorldCup #WhateverItTakes pic.twitter.com/cv6Te9TIsO
“But Dillon (du Preez), who’s taken over, has been with us for four or five years. So, he still knows how things were and where we’re headed.
“And we’ve actually got a batting coach and a fielding coach now this season for the first time officially as well, so everything just feels really well organised at the moment.
“It’s been great just getting a lot of information from a lot of different coaches, even just to have the extra hands at training and to have specific groups doing specific things has been awesome. We’re looking forward to this tournament,” she added.
Wolvaardt and her troops might be coming into the showpiece event as underdogs, but they were also runners-up in the previous edition, having lost the 2023 T20 World Cup final to Australia at Newlands in Cape Town.
This year, the 25-year-old wants her team to take things one game at a time, and not look too far ahead just because they did well at the last World Cup on home soil.
Smiles, spirit, and style! 📸✨
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) September 30, 2024
Photo Day at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup!
The Proteas Women are ready to light up the world stage on the 4th of October 🏏💪🌍🏆#AlwaysRising #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/F5L2kZbKY2
After all, South Africa are grouped with former champions in the West Indies and England, while Bangladesh and Scotland are no pushovers in Group B either.
“I think obviously last year was great, but we’re just looking to take it one game at a time,” the stylish right-handed batter said.
“Obviously a very difficult pool, but hopefully we can make the semi-finals – and then anything can happen from that,” she added.
South Africa Group B Fixtures
Tomorrow, 12pm: West Indies, Dubai
Monday, 4pm: England, Sharjah
Wednesday, October 9, 12pm: Scotland, Dubai
Saturday, October 12, 4pm: Bangladesh, Dubai