Proteas Women's captain Laura Wolvaardt hoping to 'steal ideas' from WPL experience

Captain Laura Wolvaardt is banking on her Women’s Premier League (WPL) experience to come to the fore when the Proteas face India in their opening match of the ODI Tri-Series in Colombo on Tuesday. 

India thumped hosts Sri Lanka by nine wickets in the tournament opener on Sunday with 20-year-old Delhi Capitals Women left-arm spinner Shree Charani shining on her ODI debut with figures of 2/26.

Wolvaardt has spent the last two WIPL seasons at Gujarat Giants Women and only recently returned from India to join her Proteas teammates. 

And while the skipper may not have faced Charani yet, she certainly has picked up valuable experience whilst at the WPL. 

“She (Charani) played one or two games at WPL for Delhi. I didn't play those games though,” Wolvaardt said. 

“But yeah, I think just being there at WPL definitely gives me a lot of insight into a lot of their (India) players. Whether it's even just talking to different people who've played with them, being able to see them on TV for a month, to face them in the nets, to play against them, I think it helps a lot. You just sort of get used to someone's actions.

“So yeah, it definitely helps me with my insight. And same with their batters as well, just being able to see what sort of fields some of our bowlers set to them at WPL, we can kind of try to do the same thing or steal ideas. So yeah, definitely helps.”

Charani debuted against Sri Lanka alongside Wolvaardt’s Gujarat Giants teammate 22-year-old Kashvee Gautam with the medium-pacer playing her first ODI.

The Proteas have also brought an uncapped youthful trio in Karabo Meso, Seshnie Naidu and Miane Smit along to Sri Lanka. 

Wolvaardt was unable to confirm whether they would all make their ODI debuts against India on Tuesday, but was excited by their presence within the squad.

“They've all been super keen to learn, super keen to just do extra where they can. I think Miane Smit, everyone has seen her bat for three hours, which I've been a bit annoyed about because she steals some of my batting time,” the skipper joked.

“But yeah, she's just so keen to learn and to spend as much time with all the coaches as she can. 

“Same for the other two. Just the energy they bring, the vibe they bring, it also just creates a little bit of healthy competition as you see these up-and-coming youngsters and it forces you to think of if you're still putting in that extra hard work and making sure you're doing the extras as well to stay on top of your game.

“I've really enjoyed the energy and the eagerness that they've brought,” Wolvaardt added.

Full Proteas Women squad

Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Sinalo Jafta (wk), Lara Goodall, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Nondumiso Shangase, Miane Smit and Chloe Tryon.

Start: Tuesday, 6:30am (SA time)