Bharath Ramaraj in Dubai
It was the semifinal of the 2017 50-over World Cup between England and South Africa in Bristol. South Africa needed a good start in conditions where the ball was doing just enough off the seam. Lizelle Lee, one of the openers, didn’t survive long. Just when it seemed like the South African batters would be tied down, Laura Wolvaardt, all of 18, unfurled a cracking cut shot. The sound of the willow meeting the leather was a crisp one and it gave an indicator that it came right off the middle. The kind of stroke that is generally a hallmark of a batter with pedigree.
Seven years later, she hasn’t just fulfilled her potential as a batter but is also on the verge of leading her country to World Cup glory. In the World Cup semi-final, under her leadership, South Africa defeated Australia, six-time T20 champions. The same side, who crushed South Africa’s dreams of winning the T20 World Cup trophy on home soil last year.
The essence of that victory was South Africa’s authoritative performance. Just a glance at the ring fielders was enough to tell something about South Africa’s intent in the field. It was also an indicator that the captain and coaching staff played their parts in motivating the side.
Chloe Tryon, the South African skipper, believes Wolvaardt took a bit of time to adjust to her new role. “I think when she [Wolvaardt] first came in, she probably was a little bit nervous,” she said in the press conference on the eve of the final. “She’s a lot calmer now and I think she’s more clear on how she wants to do things. And she’s got backing from senior players, which is really good.”
Wolvaardt is also topping the batting charts in the tournament, having notched up 190 runs at a strike-rate of just over 111. As one of the form players, she could have taken a day off, but on the eve of the summit clash, she was having a long net, facing throwdowns. Wolvaardt has the required qualities to lead from the front with the bat and as the leader. An entire country would also believe so.
For South Africa to taste success, they have to get past New Zealand, who have an equally capable leader in Sophie Devine. With the willow in hand, she is the alpha female. After all, she has the fastest and joint-third-fastest fifties in T20Is. In the ongoing World Cup, too, she has provided enough evidence of her stroke-play. In the crucial encounter against India, Devine didn’t just showcase some of her power-hitting, but she also put on an exhibition of quick-silver footwork to negate the threat of the spinners.
What about her leadership skills? In contrast to her aggressive batting, she is placid and calm while handling press conferences. Suzie Bates, a senior member of the New Zealand team, had this to say about the all-rounder: “I think she’s been absolutely brilliant in her captaincy. Just so calm. I think the decisions she’s made in these conditions have been brilliant. So, it’s unfortunate that she’s stepping aside, but thankfully it’s just as captain.”
Just to illustrate that point further, Devine didn’t show her emotions when New Zealand dropped sitters in the semi-final against West Indies. The experience of having gone through so many ups and downs after playing close to two decades would have helped her to gain a better perspective of the vagaries of the game.
“We’re the grandmas of the team,” Bates said, referring to herself, Devine and pace bowler Lea Tahuhu. “We’re still standing, I think. Leah with her bionic knee, Sophie just having dealt with a lot of stuff as captain over the last few years and me just keeping on going and going.”
Remember, both Devine and Bates were part of the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2009. New Zealand lost in the final in that tournament. The very next year, Australia gave them some heartache, winning the summit clash by a mere three runs. After 14 long years, at the fag end of their respective careers, the duo have got another chance to script their own story of redemption.
Both sides are desperate to win the coveted trophy. Unfortunately, there can be only one fairytale. Which will it be?