Photo Credit: Adelaide Strikers
Scoreboard attendants across Australia are set for another summer run off their feet, as Adelaide Strikers announce the return of South African international Laura Wolvaardt for Weber WBBL|07.
Debuting in blue last season, Wolvaardt owned third position in the batting line-up, finishing the tournament as the Strikers leading run-scorer, amassing 347 at a strike-rate of 105. Taking the field in every game, the right-hander’s flawless cover drive regularly powered the Strikers into winning positions, with Wolvaardt twice passing the half-century mark.
A brilliant innings of 68 from 50 deliveries, featuring four sixes, was the exclamation point on Wolvaardt’s season. Coming to the crease with just seven runs on the board, Wolvaardt would not depart until the Strikers had added a further 121 during her stay, an effort that pushed eventual Grand Finalists Melbourne Stars all the way to the second last ball of the game.
Wolvaardt is delighted at the prospect of returning to the WBBL, speaking glowingly of her experience last summer.
“I’m so excited to be returning to the Strikers. I loved every second of the Big Bash last year. The tournament is fantastic to be a part of and I couldn’t have asked for a better team. It’s such a great group of girls and I felt like I learned so much from the coaches last season. I can’t wait to start!”
Just 22 years of age, Wolvaardt has already become a mainstay of the South African One-Day and T20 national teams, with almost 100 fixtures to her name since debuting in 2016 as a 16-year-old. That year, Wolvaardt entered the history books as the youngest South African centurion in any format when she raised the bat against Ireland.
South Africa’s 2020 Women’s Cricketer of the Year, Wolvaardt is currently in the West Indies with the national team for five ODIs and three T20Is. In the most recent contest, the Strikers signing cracked an unbeaten 71 at the top of the order to secure victory and claim player of the match honours.
Strikers General Manager Kate Harkness focused on the squad’s excitement for the return of the marquee signing.
“We are thrilled that Laura will be back in Adelaide this season, she is someone that adds immeasurable quality to our team both on and off the field. Laura is one of the most talented cricketers in the world, and to have so much experience at such a young age is an incredible achievement. We can’t wait to welcome Laura back into the group.”
Photo Credit: LinkedIn profile photo of Kate Harkness
The Strikers have now locked in several proven run-scorers in Wolvaardt, Bridget Patterson, Katie Mack and Maddie Penna, as well as teenage pace star Darcie Brown and dominant leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington for Weber WBBL|07, with several more names to be announced in the coming weeks.
