Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Laura Wolvaardt: 'Incorporate red-ball into domestic cricket or we must leave it'

Written by 
Published in Cricket
Thursday, 27 June 2024 06:19
South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt says playing Tests is a "challenge" given her team does not get to play domestic red-ball cricket. They should be given the chance to play more multi-day games or "just leave" the format alone, she said, given how tough it is to adapt to.

"It's obviously a challenge for most of us having any sort of preparation in the format," Wolvaardt said on the eve of South Africa's Test against India in Chennai. "Just coming straight into an international multi-day game is difficult. For example, balls that I've been cover-driving my whole life, I now need to leave, which is difficult for me because it just happens on instinct and I have to fight the way that I've been batting for my entire career.

"I think either we need to play a lot more Test cricket and incorporate it into our domestic practice and training, or we must just leave it because playing one in three years is very hard to adapt to. But I'm on the side to have more of it."

Wolvaardt hopes conversations are happening within the Cricket South Africa board to get women to play more red-ball cricket. South Africa women currently play the CSA Women's Provincial 50-over tournament and T20s as part of their domestic season.

"I haven't been part of any such conversations, but I'm hoping that it is a conversation higher up," she said. "If we want to give ourselves the best chance to win these games internationally, we have to do some sort of preparation at a domestic level. Just coming straight into an international Test match is tough with no red-ball experience in the squad."

South Africa will be playing three Tests this year; they have three in a year after a long time - they last did so in 1972. They played a Test in February in Australia, after a gap of nearly two years, now they have India, and they will be playing a multi-format series against England at home that includes a one-off Test in Bloemfontein in December. That will also be their first Test at home since 2002 when they played India in Paarl.

"Balls that I've been cover-driving my whole life, I now need to leave, which is difficult for me because it just happens on instinct and I have to fight the way that I've been batting for my entire career."

Laura Wolvaardt

"I think getting opportunity to play more Test cricket is awesome and something that a lot of our girls are really looking forward to is playing more Tests. Obviously having three scheduled in a calendar year is pretty cool and something that I've wanted to see for a long time. I personally really enjoy the format and would love to see more of it. I think this Test will be a huge challenge for us. And hopefully we're able to adapt to the conditions."

Wolvaardt also acknowledged the challenge of batting on a spin-friendly Chepauk pitch, conditions South Africa are not too familiar with.

"Batting-wise it is going to be a big challenge for our group," she said. "I think obviously it's very different to conditions that we've been used to and exposed to at home, but thankfully we do have a few talented spinners within our squad as well. I think players like Nonkululeko Mlaba would sort of be licking her lips. Hopefully they're able to put on a good show and be consistent and tight with their areas."
Read 70 times

Soccer

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Atléti mark Simeone's 700th game with late win

Diego Simeone's 700th game in charge of Atlético Madrid ended in a late 2-1 win over Deportivo Alave...

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

Sources: Olof Mellberg to become St.Louis boss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFormer Aston Villa and Sweden defender Olof Mellberg has signed a m...

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

Arteta backs Saka amid Kane drop-outs comment

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMikel Arteta has hit back at anyone questioning Bukayo Saka's commi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

NBA follows NFL in warning players on burglaries

EmailPrintThe NBA is urging its players to take additional precautions to secure their homes followi...

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

Sources: Zion (hamstring) not close to returning

EmailPrintNew Orleans Pelicans star Zion Williamson has undergone multiple treatments on his left ha...

Baseball

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

Hays, Finnegan, Rodgers among new free agents

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Outfielder Austin Hays and right-hander Kyle Finnegan -...

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

Judge giving Soto space amid free agency frenzy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- Aaron Judge is one of the few people on Earth who can r...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated