Despite falling 19 runs short of their first-ever ICC Women’s T20 World Cup triumph, Momentum Proteas captain Sune Luus is remaining optimistic and believes their heroic performances will be the catalyst for growth in women’s cricket in South Africa.

Luus, who led the side to the final after a bad start to the tournament, said it was all up to Cricket South Africa to take charge and improve the state of women’s cricket in the country.

“I think we’ve done our best to give the girls in the country the best possible chances,” said Luus after the final.

“We would’ve loved to win it (the WC), but I don’t think we could’ve given it a better shot.”

“It’s obviously up to Cricket South Africa and the minister of sports or whoever is in charge of cricket in South Africa to knock on doors, open those doors, and give women’s cricket the best chance it has to keep up with Australia, England, and India.”

For several years now, women’s cricket around the world has been on the rise, with many T20 leagues introduced to accommodate local and international players around the world.

This year, a new tournament, the Women’s Premier League, will join the likes of “The Hundred” and the “Big Bash,” and Luus believes this is a start in the right direction.

“Obviously, the WPL is next, and it’s going to be massive for women’s cricket,” she said.

“The SA20 as well; I hope we get an SA20 tournament for women, and I think that would help South African cricket just to close that gap we’re always talking about.”

“If you look at those leagues in the countries, they’re in the top nations, and that’s why they’re so good, and that’s why they have that depth because overseas players come and play, and you get used to playing with them.”

“We’ve been asking for a long time for an SA league; I know there are budget constraints and questions on resources and all those things, but as I said, we’ve given our girls the best chance, and it’s up to CSA to make that happen and give them their best shot,” she concluded.