Proteas rookie trio pushing everyone to work harder ahead of Sri Lanka trip, says Wolvaardt

Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt knows all about being the youngster in the team. 

The skipper, now 25, was 16-years-old when she made her international debut against England back in 2016.

Wolvaardt would have experienced all the nerves and apprehension about wanting to show that she belongs at the highest level, especially coming into a team that had established stars such as Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Dane van Niekerk, Lizelle Lee and Shabnim Ismail within its line-up.

Now entrusted with a leadership role, Wolvaardt is looking to make the transition from the junior ranks into the senior national team just a little bit easier for rookies such as Karabo Meso, Miané Smit and Seshnie Naidu.

While Meso and Naidu have already had a taste of the big time with a couple of T20I appearances, the trio are set to make their ODI debuts when the Proteas take on hosts Sri Lanka and India in an ODI Tri-Series from 27 April – 11 May.

“Karabo, Seshnie and Miané have been very exciting additions to the squad. They’re very chatty, eager to learn, and it’s been exciting to see how quickly they’ve adapted,” Wolvaardt said.

“I think it gives a bit of healthy competition in the squad as well, to see some youngsters who have been performing get opportunities. It pushes everyone to work a bit harder and do a bit better. 

“Really happy for them as well. Just the work that they've put in at provincial cricket and in school cricket, as well, to get this opportunity is very deserving.”

Wolvaardt, who is relatively new in the skipper’s role after only officially being appointed late last year, feels that guiding the youngsters will also help her improve her communication skills.

“International cricket takes another step up from domestic cricket, so maybe talking them through those things, talking through the plans that I may have as a captain if they're bowling, and making sure we're on the same page with that,” she said.

“Just making them feel as comfortable and as calm as they can be just before the actual game starts.” 

Wolvaardt took just a couple of matches to leave her stamp on the international game with a half-century in her second ODI before nothing up her maiden century a few months later.

Smit is hoping to follow in her captain’s footsteps if she gets the opportunity in Sri Lanka with the former SA U19 international have long admired her skipper from afar.

“Definitely Wolfie, since a young age. And I think most of the girls do” she confirmed when asked about her childhood hero.

“We’ve had a few conversations. Derkie (Annerie Dercksen) usually jokes about it when I’m with Wolfie, and I’m a bit shy still. But I learn a lot from her, and we’ve definitely spent some time chatting about the game, and I enjoy it a lot.

“It’s such a privilege and honour, and I just enjoy being in this space so much,” said the 20-year-old allrounder from Bloemfontein.

“It’s so competitive and I’m learning so much and starting to turn the nerves into excitement. 

“I want to bring some energy and fun to the team, and if I get a chance to bat, I’m aiming to score a hundred.”