'Phenomenal' Laura Wolvaardt royally entertains Newlands to power Proteas to thumping victory

All the talk before the Proteas’ Women’s first match of the home summer may have been about former captain Dane van Nierkerk’s return to international cricket after a four-year spell in the international wilderness, but Laura Wolvaardt reminded everyone who really is in charge now.

Wolvaardt showed off all her class with a record-breaking 115 not out that powered her team to a best-ever 220/2, and eventual 105-run victory over a helpless Ireland team in the first T20I at Newlands on Friday.

It’s been 1014 days since Wolvaardt last graced the picturesque ground at the foot of Table Mountain when she valiantly tried to push the Proteas over the line in their first-ever T20 World Cup final. Since then, she and the Proteas, have featured in two further World Cup finals – both of the short and longer white-ball variety.

The development, both individually and collectively, has been marked since then with Wolvaardt elevated to a higher plateau now. Born-and-bred in Cape Town, the Proteas skipper certainly enjoyed playing before her friends and family and treated everyone to a batting masterclass.

Her trademark cover drive was beautifully on song, while she also swept and pulled with authority. Her presence at the crease rubbed on another former captain Sune Luus, as the pair enjoyed the best-ever partnership for any Proteas wicket, as they plundered 176 off just 96 balls for the second wicket.

Luus, who equally enjoyed a festive day out with 81 off 51 balls and a four-wicket haul, had the best seat in the house for Wolvaardt’s third century in as many international innings.

“She's phenomenal. I don't know what she's eating at the moment or what she's doing, but it's definitely working. I think it's awesome probably for her to have done it on Newlands,” Luus said.

Her family is here as well, so I think it would have made it extra special. But we know the class player Laura is. I think it's no surprise she's hitting three consecutive 100s.

“And hopefully there's still five games in the series for her to really just break more records. It's actually scary to think what she can do.”

Van Nierkerk eventually made her much-anticipated appearance and showed her intent to push for a place in coach Mandla Mashimbyi’s T20 World Cup squad next year with an eight-ball cameo that yielded 21 runs.

“Obviously a player of experience. I think to have her back, it's cool for everyone. I think she brings, like I said, a lot of experience,” Luus said.

“But I think we as a team also evolved a lot. And we have new values and a whole new structure, so I think it's also for her to adapt to that. And the new brand of cricket we're playing.

“But I think she's done that brilliantly. And she and coach Mandla seem to have a good relationship. So, I think there's something very good brewing over there.”

Equally, Luus was pleased with her all-round effort, especially as she fulfilled two new roles of opening both the batting and bowling with aplomb.

“It's been interesting. I think when coach mentioned, I knew about the opening the batting part but opening the bowling was mentioned a couple of minutes before the match,” she said.

“But no, I think it's something I've been practising. I think it's a super cool role. I think in ODIs, I come in at three, so when there's a first ball I come in early anyway.

“So it's not that big of a difference. I think it's just changing my mindset from batting three to standing at the other end, hopefully not facing the first ball. But no, it's super cool I think to have that time to bat and build that innings.”

The Proteas will look to close out the three-match series when they face Ireland again in the second T20I at Boland Park in Paarl on Sunday.