“Frustrating because…”- Laura Wolvaardt admits this mistake in Women’s World Cup 2025 final vs India
The captain of the South Africa women's cricket team, Laura Wolvaardt, has admitted their mistake of not preparing well against the part-time spinner, Shafali Verma, during the Women's World Cup 2025 final in Navi Mumbai.
During South Africa’s run chase of 299 runs during the final of the Women’s World Cup 2025 against India at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, the Blue Brigade were struggling to break the partnership as the Proteas made their way to 114/2 in 20 overs during the second innings. That was the time when captain Harmanpreet Kaur decided to bring Shafali Verma into the attack.
On her second ball, Verma sent back Luus for 25 runs. The right-handed batter was early on the shot and gave a return catch to the bowler, who grabbed it beautifully just over the ground. On her very next over, she dismissed Marizanne Kapp, who was caught on the leg side by the wicket-keeper.
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“Yeah, didn't really expect her to bowl much today. So, a bit of a surprise factor from them. She just kind of bowled with the front of the hand, really slow, and was able to pick up a couple of wickets. I think. Yeah. In a World Cup final, you don't want to lose wickets to a part-time bowler.” Laura Wolvaardt expressed after the end of the final.
Laura Wolvaardt admits mistake of not preparing against Shafali Verma in Women’s World Cup 2025
Shafali finished with a fine spell of 2/36 in seven overs at an economy rate of 5.10. With the bat, in the first innings, the right-handed opening batter cracked 87 runs in 78 balls at a strike rate of 111.54 with the help of seven boundaries and a couple of sixes.
“But frustrating that she was able to pick up two, two big ones as well, and yeah, then almost had to err on the side of caution to not give her any more wickets. So yeah, she bowled pretty well. Frustrating, I guess, because it's not really the person you plan for. But yeah, she played well.” Wolvaardt addressed the crowd after the end of the game.
Verma revealed her emotions to the late call-up to the final, and coming as the injury replacement of Pratika Rawal- “It was difficult, but I had confidence in myself. That I will believe in myself. And if I keep myself calm, I can do anything. So that belief and that calmness, and my parents gave a lot of support.”
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