Sune Luus: We set the platform today; we can't go backwards

Luus, the South Africa captain, called for progress in girls' and women's cricket in the country after leading the nation to the T20 World Cup final

Sune Luus has expressed her wish for the country's run to the T20 World Cup final to cause an upsurge in girls' and women's cricket across South Africa.

A crowd of 13,500 assembled at a sold-out Newlands as the Proteas took on Australia in South Africa's first-ever World Cup final – for either the women's or men's team – with Meg Lanning's all-conquering side ultimately coming out on top by 19 runs to secure a sixth T20 crown and a third in a row.

They were comfortable in the end but were given a scare while Laura Wolvaardt was at the crease, making an attractive 61 in a chase of 157 that ultimately fell short.

Luus lamented the loss of wickets at crucial times – Tazmin Brits (10) and Marizanne Kapp (11) both fell after making starts before Luus herself was run out following a mix-up with Wolvaardt.

For South Africa, though, who came into the tournament amid internal chaos following the controversial omission of Dane van Niekerk, reaching the final – having lost their opener against Sri Lanka on the first day of the competition – was success in itself.

^{Luus led South Africa to the T20 World Cup final (Marco Longari/AFP via Getty Images)}

"It has been absolutely amazing," said Luus. "I think to play at a home ground with so many people watching and supporting you, I don't think we ever, ever imagined being in the final and obviously the stadium being completely packed for every single game."

She called on the country's sports minister among others to ensure that the momentum of the last fortnight is not lost.

After winning against England in Friday's semi-final, she described the occasion as "a turning point not just for women's cricket in South Africa but women's sport in South Africa".

"I don't think it's going backwards at the moment," she said, discussing what comes next for women's cricket in South Africa.

"It's very exciting for the coming months, and I hope there are a lot of developments around the country. I hope there are so many girls who want to pick up a bat and ball that the schools have to start getting girls' cricket.

"I think we set the platform today and throughout this tournament. I think we can't go backwards."

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