Cricket South Africa (CSA) has unveiled Laura Wolvaardt as the interim captain of the Proteas Women’s cricket team. Wolvaardt, a dynamic top-order batter, will lead the squad during the imminent tours against Pakistan and New Zealand.

Wolvaardt’s appointment follows the departure of Suné Luus from her role as interim captain and the unavailability of vice-captain Chloe Tryon for the Pakistan series. Wolvaardt’s role will be reviewed after the conclusion of the inbound tour from New Zealand.

Laura Wolvaardt, a Cape Town native, made her international debut at a tender age of 16 in an ODI match against England in 2016. Her impressive journey in international cricket has seen her rise to third place on the all-time ODI runs scorer’s list for Proteas Women. She has accumulated 3,193 runs with an average of 45.61, including 29 fifties and three centuries in 80 matches. In T20Is, she has showcased her prowess with 1,079 runs, seven half-centuries, and a career-best score of 66* against Bangladesh during the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year.

Wolvaardt’s emergence as a standout player has extended beyond national boundaries. Her participation in global T20 leagues such as the Women’s Big Bash League, The Hundred, and the Women’s Premier League in India has added to her international acclaim.

Expressing her excitement about her new role, Wolvaardt stated that the captaincy presents an opportunity to expand her role within the team and enhance her cricketing acumen. She aims to leverage her experience and calm demeanor on the field to contribute not only as a batter but also as a leader.

Enoch Nkwe, CSA’s Director of Cricket, hailed Wolvaardt’s appointment, praising her dedication, leadership skills, and cricketing prowess. Nkwe emphasized that her composure under pressure and deep understanding of the game make her a suitable candidate to lead the team.