Wolwaardt believes home final might put India under the cosh as she stresses the importance of staying calm.
aura Wolvaardt reckons home World Cup final will turn up the heat on India.
When the two teams play in the ODI World Cup final on Sunday in front of what is anticipated to be a sold-out home crowd in Navi Mumbai, South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt has stated that India would bear the brunt of expectations. “Slow down, take a deep breath, and stay calm” is the straightforward advice she gives her own teammates before this “tough” game.
“I think [with] the whole crowd behind India, probably a sold-out stadium, it’s going to be a very exciting opportunity,” Wolvaardt said at the pre-match press conference. “But at the same time, I think it puts a lot of pressure on them as well. They have the whole country behind them, and sort of expect them to win. I think it sort of plays in our favour, hopefully. They’re a very good side. We’re going to have to play some really good cricket to beat them.
“Mandla [Mashimbyi, South Africa head coach] normally does the really inspirational stuff, the ‘you’re carrying your country’ type of thing. And then I think I’d just come with a little ‘stay calm, girls’ at the end. There’s going to be a lot of noise, a lot happening, a lot of maybe different routines than you’re used to in a normal game. But at the end of the day, we’re going to have to do the basics for longer throughout the game, and hold the nerve for longer. I think just holding on and staying calm is going to go a long way tomorrow.”
South Africa had advanced to the top match in both of the previous two T20 World Cups, despite this being their first-ever ODI World Cup final. Wolvaardt stated that although the squad hasn’t yet been able to win the trophy, they have learnt from previous experiences.
“I think for me, personally, I’m really trying not to think about the result,” she said. “I think in those finals – or the first time I was in the final – you automatically think about the trophy and think about winning, and sort of get excited. Now I’m just really trying to stay [in the] present. We still have a really big game ahead of us against a really quality side.
“I’m trying not to think too far ahead; just really sort of slow it down. I think the first time you’re in those finals, it feels like a really big, fast-paced event. We’re going to need to slow down and take a big breath, and hope we’re able to do that as a group.”