Australia have lost fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck for the rest of the tournament and there are doubts about the readiness of skipper Alyssa Healy who hurt her foot against Pakistan. She attended the last group match with India, wearing a ‘moon boot’ and walked with crutches.
Nevertheless as they showed against India, Australia’s depth is the envy of the rest of the world, and they were still able to keep Harmanpreet Kaur’s side at arm’s length in claiming a nine-run win.
In Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Ashleigh Gardner and Megan Schutt they have three veteran players who have been part of numerous successes, while all-rounder Phoebe Litchfield is among a talented young core that plays without fear.
South Africa are certainly underdogs and the value of staying tight as a unit has been emphasised in team meetings since their semifinal spot was secured. Wolvaardt pointed to the motivational techniques used by Paul Adams, the spin bowling coach, as relieving some of the stress she’s endured throughout the tournament.
“One of the hardest parts of the job is finding something new to say every single game, and luckily he’s come up with something really creative and really new.
“At every meeting he’s got videos about birds that fly together and teamwork and sticking together, today we had a video about ebbs and flows. He’s very creative, he’s been really great for the group. We’ve needed someone to pump us up and bring a fun element, which has been huge as well.”