Wolvaardt singles out two key reasons for South Africa’s defeat against England

South Africa had a dream start to the 2024 Women’s T20 World Cup, hammering West Indies by 10 wickets, but the Laura Wolvaardt-led unit endured a painful loss in their second fixture, slipping to a tight defeat at the hands of England in Sharjah on October 7 (Monday).

On the night, South Africa posted a par score of 124/6 after winning the toss and batting, but England knocked the target down with four balls to spare. 

That England were able to get over the line was, in part, due to the Proteas’ dismal fielding, with them putting down as many three clear cut chances and a couple of other half-chances.

Wolvaardt reckoned the spilled opportunities made a huge difference in the contest.

“Yeah, obviously, the drop chances are crucial - two of them coming from me, which is not ideal. I think in these competitions the best fielding side obviously has a great chance of making it very far and it's definitely something that we'll have to look at,” the South Africa skipper said after the game.

“It's not like we didn't practice it coming into this, so it's just very frustrating when it happens in the game.”

Wolvaardt also felt that, on the night, the South African spinners weren’t up to the mark. While the English spinners choked the South African batters, going at an E.R of just 5.6, the South African spinners leaked runs at an E.R of 7.1.

Between them, Sune Luus and Chloe Tryon conceded 35 runs in the four overs they bowled. “I think our spinners just lacked a little bit of control in the middle,” Wolvaardt said.

“I felt like their spinners didn't leave the stumps at all, and it was really difficult to get away.” 

But the South Africa skipper also credited the trio of Dani Waytt, Alice Capsey and Nat Sciver-Brunt for the way they masterfully handled the slower bowlers.

“But in saying that, it is quite hard to bolter those batters. It seems like all of them have a lap and a reverse sweep. It's hard to set fields for that and to keep them mid-wicket in and to bolt some pressure. So yeah, I think they just played off spin really well throughout the middle,” she said.

Currently third in the table with an NRR of +0.245, South Africa next take on Scotland in Dubai on October 9 (Wednesday).

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