By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African women’s cricket team has returned home shortly after their second defeat in a T20 World Cup final in just two years.
Despite the heartache, key players like captain Laura Wolvaardt, allrounder Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon will soon be flying out to Australia for the Big Bash T20.
Wolvaardt was remarkably consistent, with four scores of 40 or above including a best of 59* in the opener against the West Indies helping her to a tournament-high tally of 223 at 44.60. The 25-year-old, who is named as captain of the Team of the Tournament, struck at 113.19 across her six innings.
The team received a muted welcome from the sparse crowd gathered at OR Tambo International Airport when they landed on Tuesday morning.
Only a few supporters were able to take time off from work and make their way to the airport to show their support for the Proteas.
The majority of the crowd of between 50 and 100 people consisted of friends and family of the players, sponsors, and Cricket South Africa employees.
Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie, was among a small crowd and greeted them on their return home.
McKenzie, who watched the Proteas women take on New Zealand in the final from a suite at the Wanderers Stadium fan get-together on Sunday, told the media the time had come for the women’s cricketers to earn the same as the men.
He also hailed the Proteas women’s team as “one of the best teams in the world” and that it was just “bad luck” that they didn’t win the tournament.
“But, they have done us proud, they are the best, they are our girls,” said McKenzie.
McKenzie also spoke about how sports in schools needed better development to bring through the next sports men and women.
The team was also warmly welcomed back by Cricket South Africa at their head-office in Johannesburg.
It was the second successive final South Africa had reached at the tournament, and that alone was cause for celebration said CSA Director of Cricket Enoch Nkwe.
“We want this team to win a cricket World Cup. We can feel that it’s actually around the corner. We have to thank the team, the players, the management, the fans and everyone that has been behind this team and continue to support them, “said Nkwe.
“We’re super proud of what they’ve achieved in this World Cup.
“The attitude they took into this campaign was fantastic. There’s no doubt that from a national setup point of view, this will have a great impact. It will continue to grow the game and create awareness. Hopefully we see more girls who schools and clubs and all the different systems pulling in.”
The Proteas competing for silverware on such a regular basis would have a huge benefit for women’s cricket South Africa, Nkwe believed.
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Video Courtesy of CSA