Source– @ProteasWomenCSA (Twitter/ X)
Over the last few days, the cricketing fraternity and fans at large witnessed the tale of two South African teams separated by a distance of 4,310 kms in the sub-continent gunning to make their nation proud.
One was led by Laura Wolvaardt, a mighty fine batter in the women’s game and the other by the experienced Temba Bavuma, who perhaps needs little or no introduction.
The results were one of mixed emotions with Laura’s womenbringing a smile to millions of Mzansi fans back home with a T20I series win over Pakistan in Multan and Temba’s men,tears of anguish succumbing to their first ever series defeat in a three-match ODI contest against the impressive Afghans in Sharjah.
Perhaps too much of a contrast, if one were to ask.
Well, what has happened with the South African men’s team is water under the bridge which brings us to the intent of this article, the South African women’s team and the distance they can make in the upcoming T20 Women’s World Cup.
Truth be told, the ladies have been very impressive in the recently concluded T20I series against Pakistan, winning this cricketing excursion 2-1 courtesy some mighty fine performances from the likes of Sune Luus, Tasmin Britz, Anneke Bosch and the latest sensation of the South African women’s team, Annerie Dercksen.
Yes, Dercksen with her imposing 23-ball-44 was instrumental in getting South Africa home in the third T20I after the series was locked at one-apiece and Luus with all her experience and guile was adjudged the player of the series courtesy a steady 94 runs and two wickets across the three games.
With confidence soaring for the Protea Women and a T20 World Cup to look forward to, lets dive into how can the ladies make it count in the Emirates, the venue for this eye-gazing event.
Solidity In Batting: The Usual Protea Template
South Africa undoubtedly boasts one of the better batting line ups in world cricket, with each of the top 5 in Laura Wolvaardt, Tasmin Britz, Anneke Bosch, Marizanne Kapp and Sune Luus capable of taking any opposition attack to the cleaners on their day.
Their ability and astuteness in tackling pace and spin in equal measure on the low and slow pitches in the UAE should hold South Africa in good stead to give the much-needed solidity in their batting.
The top 5 would be ably supported by all-rounders in the hard-hitting Chloe Tryon and Annerie Dercksen which should undeniably help these ladies consistently pile up totals in excess of 150 making it rather formidable for other teams to chase or defend.
South Africa’s bowling Boasts A Healthy Mix Of Pace and Spin
With the retirement of one of the best pace bowlers in world cricket in Shabnam Ismail, the mantle to lead the attack now rests on the capable shoulders of Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka.
They both complement each other well with Marizanne focusing on pace and bounce while Ayabonga on late swing.
This formidable opening combination will have the likes of fellow speedsters in Nandine de Klerk and Deckersen for company while the spin department will be led by the left arm orthodox experience of Nonkululeko Mlaba complemented by the likes of Chloe Tryon.
To add to this spin bowling combination, is also a young leg spinner from the Natal province in Seshnie Naidu who had impressed in the U-19 Women’s T20 World Cup last year picking up five wickets, there by getting a national call up to the senior side against Pakistan.
With all these ladies coming together to boost South Africa’s bowling, the opposition teams should most certainly be on the lookout for their stumps to get castled.
Marizanne Kapp To Deliver In What Will Likely Be Her Last Dance?
When one talks about all-rounders in the women’s game, there are few names that hold the kind of weight that a certain Marizanne Kapp does, who has been tirelessly working towards making South Africa a force to reckon with on the global stage for over one and a half decade.
Having surmounted over 1500 runs and almost close to 100 wickets in the shortest format, this player extraordinaire would unquestionably look to make her mark in the upcoming T20 World Cup.
At 34, while age is not on her side but a plethora of experience is, this South African great would leave no stone unturned in getting her team soar to gold in this cricketing extravaganza having been finalists in the last edition only falling short to Australia.
Her all-round commitment to the Proteas cause would indisputably put South Africa in a prime position to win the World Cup this time albeit the excursion won’t be a walk in the park competing against the likes of England, Australia, India, and the White Ferns, who are world beaters in their own right.
While the tournament will be tough cookie to crack for the Protea women, the 60 million strong Mzansi can surely hope that the title of a global conqueror can finally andemphatically make its way to the southern shore of Africa.
After all another team from the same neck of the woods was so close albeit yet so far in making this happen just a few months back.
Surely, it is expected things will change for the better this time.
