By Dylan Bettencourt
- Proteas skipper Laura Wolvaardt scored 101 as South Africa lost the Women’s Cricket World Cup final to India by 52 runs in Mumbai.
- Despite defeat, Wolvaardt said she’s proud of her team’s fight and resilience after reaching South Africa’s first-ever 50-over World Cup final.
Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt has praised her teammates after South Africa lost the Women’s Cricket World Cup final to India by 52 runs in Mumbai on Sunday.
“I couldn’t be prouder of this team,” she said. “We’ve played some brilliant cricket throughout. India were better on the day, but we’ll grow from this.”
Chasing 299 for victory, Wolvaardt led from the front with a strong 101 off 98 balls, keeping South Africa’s hopes alive until they were bowled out for 246.
Indian spinner Deepti Sharma tore through the Proteas batting order, taking 5/29 and securing the win with more than four overs to spare.
South Africa’s journey to the final was historic. After heavy defeats to England and Australia, the team bounced back to become the first senior South African side to reach a 50-over World Cup final.
Wolvaardt ended as the tournament’s top scorer with 541 runs in nine matches.
“I’m proud of the resilience we showed,” she said. “We had so many players step up when it mattered.”
Pictured above: The Proteas.
Image source: @ProteasWomenCSA
