Wolvaardt confident as Protea women's ODI tri-series against India

Proteas Women captain Laura Wolvaardt is upbeat about her side’s chances ahead of their opening match of the one-day international (ODI) Tri-Series against India at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium on Tuesday.

The 50-over contest will get underway at 10h00 local time (06h30 SAST), with the action live on Sri Lanka Cricket’s YouTube page.

Speaking ahead of the clash against India, who will be playing their second match of the series after securing a nine-wicket victory against hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday, Wolvaardt expressed confidence in the Proteas Women’s preparation for the tournament.

"We've had some good prep. We had some camps during the last couple of months where we did scenario-type stuff to replicate the game time that we didn't have. Hopefully, we're able to start tomorrow on the right foot."

“It's been a good few days (in Colombo). We mainly used the time to get used to conditions and the heat, especially. It's been very hot and humid here, a lot different to what we're used to at home, where it's a bit cooler at the moment. The cricket conditions as well, getting used to the ground, and spending some time in the nets has been good, and we are ready to go tomorrow,” the skipper noted.

History and recent ODI results between the Proteas Women and India favour the latter, with a record of 18 wins in 31 matches. Despite this, South Africa head into the encounter with renewed energy as they build towards the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 in India later this year under new head coach Mandla Mashimbyi.

“It's our first full tour with Coach Mandla. So far, he's been great. He's come with a big presence, already implemented a lot of changes, and does things differently to what we've maybe done in the past. I hope it'll be good for the group going forward.

“For me, I'm just wanting to spend as much time in the middle as I can in the subcontinent before the main event in India. Batting time in the subcontinent is something that you can't really replicate at home, and for the players it will just be about conditions and spending as much time in the middle as we can,” Wolvaardt added.

When asked about the importance of the tour and the tools that the team has to achieve success in the Tri-Series against strong opposition, Wolvaardt highlighted the value of the three-team ODI tournament as well as the bowling options available to her..

"A Tri-series like this is great. It sort of gives a World Cup kind of feel where you have to prep for different teams in the same tournament and hopefully qualify for a final. I think we have a bit of everything with the ball, which is awesome. It's probably the most spinners that I've had in a squad since I've been captain, so I'm quite excited about that."

"A key player may be Nonkululeko Mlaba. I think these conditions will really suit her. She's been getting a lot of spin in the nets, so I think she could be quite a handful.”

Proteas Women Squad – ODI Tri-Series

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), *Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), `*Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Miané Smit (Knights) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

*Uncapped

Fixtures – ODI Tri-Series

Tuesday, 29 April @ 06h30 SAST – 2nd ODI: India v South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)

Friday, 02 May @ 06h30 SAST – 3rd ODI: Sri Lanka v South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)

Sunday, 04 May @ 06h30 SAST – 4th ODI: Sri Lanka v India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)

Wednesday, 07 May @ 06h30 SAST – 5th ODI: South Africa v India (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)

Friday, 09 May @ 06h30 SAST – 6th ODI: Sri Lanka v South Africa (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)

Sunday, 11 May @ 06h30 SAST – Final: 1st Place v 2nd Place (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)