After two T20 World Cup final defeats, Laura Wolvaardt says South Africa are ‘even hungrier’ for the title

South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt believes her team’s repeated near misses at ICC events have made the team even more determined to win their first Senior Women’s World Cup title. The South Africa captain also said the return of veteran Shabnim Ismail has boosted the lead ahead of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in England and Wales.South Africa have reached three ICC T20 World Cup finals in men’s and women’s cricket in the last three years, but are still looking for their first ICC senior women’s title.In the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup at home, South Africa lost to Australia by 19 runs in the final. A year later in Dubai, they were beaten by New Zealand by 32 runs in another final.Ahead of the upcoming tournament, Wolvaardt said the team is motivated to finally go all the way.“Getting to the T20 World Cup final was obviously very special for us as a team, but I think it also made us even more hungry to go one step further,” Wolvaardt wrote in an ICC column.South Africa also finished runners-up in the ICC ODI Women’s Cricket World Cup final in India last year, losing to the co-hosts. However, the team heads into the T20 World Cup after a 4-1 win in the T20I series at home against Harmanpreet Kaur-led India.“The India series was another good test against one of the strongest teams in the world,” Wolvaardt said.“Winning this series gave the group a lot of confidence, but more importantly it showed the ability and resilience in the team.“The players came on at different times and that’s something you need at the World Cup,” she continued.Wolvaardt herself had a strong run, scoring 330 runs in five T20Is at a strike rate of 168.37. Her performances included one century and three half-centuries.“Personally, it was one of my most enjoyable seasons,” Wolvaardt said.“I think a lot of it comes from the purity of my game and just enjoying cricket. I’ve tried not to put too much pressure on myself and instead focus on contributing to the team in whatever way is needed.”South Africa have been further boosted by the return of Ismail, who retired from international cricket after the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup. The 37-year-old fast bowler returns with 297 international wickets and recent form in franchise cricket.“Having Shabnim Ismail back is very exciting for us. Everyone knows the quality and experience she brings.”“She is one of the best fast players in the world and someone who can change the game very quickly.”“Apart from her skills, she also brings a level of gees (an African word for atmosphere) to the group and I know the team is really happy to have her back in Proteas colors again and hopefully help us go one step further and lift the trophy,” she added.South Africa are in Group 1 of the Women’s T20 World Cup along with India, Australia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and the Netherlands.The tournament will offer a record prize money pool of $8,764,615, up 10 percent from 2024.