Proteas Women Captain Laura Wolvaardt said the loss against New Zealand in the finals of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai, is hurting. The team won the toss and decided to bowl, a decision Wolvaardt defended adding that it had worked for them throughout the tournament. The Proteas could only manage 126/9 as New Zealand emerged victorious with a 32-run win.“Obviously not a nice feeling. I think a lot of us really thought this was our opportunity,” said a distraught Wolvaardt. Moreover, the captain said the team was hurt the most after they flew their family members to Dubai, after reaching the final hoping to celebrate the triumph with them. “Before the game we really felt this was our year, a lot of people felt that way. A lot of us flew the family in with the thought we would win. But looking now, it’s good they are here for the loss.My parents look more sad than I did, which is heartbreaking,” quipped Wolvaardt.The captain highlighted that Sunday’s loss hurts more, when compared to the Proteas loss to Australia in the 2003 final in Newlands, Cape Town. “This one, for me hurts more.I think last year we were really excited to be in the final, it was our first one and we enjoyed the opportunity.But this year, after the cricket we played in the semi, I really thought we would have it in the bag if we played another game of a similar nature. Just to play one of our worst games in the tournament in the final is really disappointing, we were outplayed on the day,” added the captain.Wolvaardt dismissed insinuations that both the men and women’s Proteas teams are chokers, after both failing at the last hurdles to be crowned world champions. “I don’t think so. I think if that was a mindset, we would have lost the semi-finals to Australia. That game brought out the best in us and that was a high-pressured game. Cricket is just random at times, sometimes you have your best game, I think we played our best game against Australia. We were beaten on the day today, they were the best side today,” said Wolvaardt. Despite the loss, the captain said she’s proud of the team and convinced that they have a bright future together. “In hindsight we still came second, in a tournament with ten or teams. We still had a pretty good tournament, a lot of positives to reflect on. A younger group as well, to be able make the final with the younger group is promising. Definitely a lot to look forward to. I can’t wait to see what we do in the next few World Cups. Reaching back-to-back finals shows we are doing something right,” said the captain.
