T20 World Cup: South Africa captain Laura Wolvaardt reflected on her side's nervy victory over Bangladesh after their Women's T20 World Cup league-stage clash on Sunday, admitting the chase became far tighter than expected despite securing the result they needed. While the Proteas stayed alive in the race for the semi-finals by completing a four-wicket win, Wolvaardt acknowledged her team would now have to rely on Australia defeating India later in the day to keep their campaign alive.
With South Africa successfully chasing 118, Wolvaardt admitted the finish was more dramatic than her side would have preferred.
"Not the way we would have liked to finish it. Probably got a bit closer than it needed to be, but happy to walk away with the win,” Wolvaardt said post match.
The skipper reserved special praise for her bowling attack, believing the foundation for victory was laid during Bangladesh's innings. Although satisfied with the overall effort, she felt her side missed an opportunity to restrict the opposition even further.
"I think we were excellent. I think we started really well with the ball. The powerplay was so good from our veterans. Probably let them get a little bit too many at the end there. Would have liked to restrict them to 100 or less. I think if we're chasing 140, it would have been a tricky chase,” she added.
Bangladesh's slow bowlers then ensured South Africa never enjoyed a comfortable chase, repeatedly forcing the batters to reassess their approach on a sluggish surface. Wolvaardt admitted her side struggled to maintain momentum against the spin attack.
"They've got some really slow spinners. It's always going to be tough in slow wickets, when they're really slowing it down like that. I think today we maybe went in our shells a little bit, so maybe just try to knock it around,” the skipper said.
Despite completing their own assignment, South Africa's qualification ambitions remain out of their control. Their fate now rests on the outcome of the final Group stage fixture between India and Australia, and Wolvaardt revealed exactly where her attention would be once her own match had concluded.
"They've got some really slow spinners. It's always going to be tough in slow wickets, when they're really slowing it down like that. I think today we maybe went in our shells a little bit, so maybe just try to knock it around,” the skipper said.
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South Africa have done everything they could by collecting the two points against Bangladesh, but whether their World Cup journey continues now depends entirely on Australia's ability to overcome India.