South Africa has announced its squad for the upcoming ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, with Laura Wolvaardt named as captain for the first time in an ICC event. The squad includes a mix of experienced players and new faces, aiming to build upon their strong performance last year.
South Africa’s valiant effort in the one-off Test against India in Chennai, despite a heavy defeat, underscored the need for more women’s Test cricket. The Proteas’ resilience, particularly Laura Wolvaardt’s 122 and Sune Luus’s crucial innings, showcased the format’s potential for thrilling battles. The match also brought to light the disparity in experience and opportunity between the top Test-playing nations and those like South Africa who lack domestic red-ball structures. This compelling performance has added further weight to the calls for increased investment in women’s Test cricket, both within and across international boundaries.
Sune Luus’ remarkable century and a crucial 190-run stand with Laura Wolvaardt propelled South Africa to a defiant 232/2, keeping them alive in the one-off Test against India. The Proteas’ resistance, spearheaded by Luus’s composed batting, left India in an unfamiliar position, struggling to crack the South African wall despite a five-wicket haul by Sneh Rana.
