Unexpected Spin: Wolvaardt Praises Shafali Verma’s Surprise Bowling Prowess

For three consecutive years, South Africa has reached World Cup finals only to experience heartbreak, falling short each time. In the most recent final at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Sunday, the Proteas faced a challenging 52-run defeat against India while chasing a target of 299. Despite battling fiercely, they eventually ran out of wickets and momentum.

“I felt we were competitive in the chase for a significant portion of the game. Annerie Derksen and I had a crucial partnership that I hoped would extend to the end. Unfortunately, she was dismissed just as we were gearing up for the final overs, and I followed shortly after. I still believed Chloe Tryon and Nadine de Klerk could pull it off, but we left too much on Nades’ shoulders,” said captain Laura Wolvaardt post-match.

With a crowd of 39,555 in attendance, the pressure was palpable throughout the match for the Proteas.

“We certainly felt the pressure in pockets while batting. India would claim a few quick wickets, making it difficult to re-establish partnerships. We might have crumbled somewhat towards the end.”

India’s strategic decision to involve Shafali Verma as a bowler came as a surprise to South Africa.

“We didn’t expect her to bowl much, so her presence was somewhat unexpected. She bowled slowly and took a few crucial wickets. It’s frustrating to lose wickets to a part-time bowler in a World Cup final, especially when she took two significant ones. We had to be cautious to avoid giving her more wickets. She bowled effectively, even though she wasn’t part of our original strategy,” explained Wolvaardt.

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South Africa saw many positive elements during their campaign in India and Sri Lanka. From disciplined seam bowling to resilient lower-order batting and Wolvaardt’s own standout performances, the team showcased their strengths.

“I’m proud of how we handled spin—it’s been a key focus for us. Reaching the World Cup final in subcontinent conditions is an achievement. Our seamers excelled too; at times, they even outperformed our spinners,” Wolvaardt stated.

The captain found reassurance in her performances, including two consecutive centuries at crucial moments in the tournament, even calling 2025 a challenging year with the bat.

“I’ve seen growth in my ODI play here. To secure wins, you need to be assertive and positive, which I embraced in this tournament. Although this hasn’t been my best year in ODI cricket due to a more conservative style, I managed to evolve tactically. Today, my legside play improved, which is crucial as teams tend to target the offside to restrict me.”

At 26, Wolvaardt remains focused on the positives from a spirited campaign.

“Reaching the final was fantastic, and we delivered quality cricket throughout. Winning five consecutive games at one point marked significant progress for us. We sought the consistency we sometimes lack in bilateral series,” Wolvaardt remarked.

“Our appearance in the 2023 T20 World Cup final facilitated domestic contracts, enhancing our team depth. By reaching the 2024 T20 World Cup final, we’ve established our presence in world cricket. Consistently reaching finals signifies something’s being done right domestically and within our squad. My pride stems from us making the finals three times in a row. We’re on the right path, and hope to clinch victory one day!”

Published on Nov 03, 2025