Proteas women aim to finish on a high

The Proteas may not be able to win the Cricket South Africa (CSA) Women’s T20 series outright, but captain Dané van Niekerk says her squad is determined to end the five-match series against India in the best possible way come the last match on Saturday at Newlands in Cape Town.
The previous fixture in Centurion was washed out after South Africa looked primed to set a challenging target for the visitors, but the skipper says that her team are choosing to take the positives from that match, rather than wallow in the “what ifs.”
“First of all, it was pretty disappointing (to have the match washed out), we felt that the momentum was fully with us, but we have everything to play for tomorrow. We don’t want to lose another series, so we’re gonna go out there and play the positive cricket that we know we can play and that we’ve been showcasing and hopefully we can put on a show for the crowd that comes out,” she commented.
The home side, who are 2-1 down in the series showed late bursts of brilliance with the bat in hand after India comfortably won their first two encounters by seven and nine wickets respectively in Potchefstroom and East London. A five-wicket haul by Shabnim Ismail, a near half-century (41) by Suné Luus and a stroke of batting brilliance by Chloe Tryon (34 from 15 balls) saw South Africa drag themselves back into contention in Match Three at the Bidvest Wanderers, but Wednesday’s rainfall cut their series-winning dreams dead after Van Niekerk (55) and Lizelle Lee (58*) struck half-centuries up front subsequent to India putting them in to bat first.
Results aside, Van Niekerk is especially pleased with the manner in which her charges have gone about playing their cricket and how they have bounced back from painful losses and refused to be counted out of this series completely.
“It’s been a tough tour against India, not just this series, but the ODIs as well. But when the team bounced back they did so hard, I’ve been really proud of that,” she continued. “It just goes to show that when you don’t think about the result and you just play your natural game and you stick to the basics, the rest, especially the results will take care of themselves. The girls have really made me proud in that respect, the lessons are sinking in, the game plans are working, it just took a while to get our combinations right and of course, we’re still going to work on those with the World T20 in the back of all our minds.”
Heading into tomorrow’s final clash, the skipper backs her squad to get them over the line. She boasted of the talent in her team;
“We’ve been working really hard about our shot selections in the nets, about how we want to go about it, when and how and it’s been awesome to see it come off. It’s awesome for the women’s game if Lizelle Lee comes off and also Chloe Tryon. They are two of the biggest hitters in women’s cricket at the moment and it’s great for the product of women’s cricket seeing them at their best.
“I stick to my guns, I’ve got the best bowling attack in the world, you know, people can dispute that, but that’s what I believe. They’ve showcased it. We’ve got the most bowlers in the ODI Rankings and it already speaks for itself. I’m spoilt for choice out there and we’ve been working really hard. Now all that’s left is for us to close this series off in a way that will make us and our country proud and I know it’s what every player in our changeroom wants to do.”
Play at Newlands will start at 13:00 (SAST).
Proteas T20 squad:
Dané van Niekerk (captain, Eastern Province), Marizanne Kapp (Eastern Province), Trisha Chetty (Gauteng), Shabnim Ismail (Gauteng), Ayabonga Khaka (Gauteng), Masabata Klaas (North West), Suné Luus (Northerns), Odine Kirsten (Northerns), Mignon du Preez (Northerns), Lizelle Lee (North West), Chloe Tryon (KwaZulu-Natal Coastal), Nadine de Klerk (Northerns), Raisibe Ntozakhe (Gauteng), Moseline Daniels (Boland).
Latest
-
News
New England captain Jos Buttler unable to prevent Lancashire defeat in Blast
The Lightning were defeated by Worcestershire Rapids.
-
News
You’ve got to applaud – Paul Collingwood hails ‘world-class’ Rishabh Pant knock
Pant blazed 146 off just 111 balls on an entertaining first day between England and India at Edgbaston.
-
India
Superb Rishabh Pant century turns Indian fortunes around against England
Pant smashed a brillaint 146 off just 111 balls.
-
News
Jos Buttler admits becoming England white-ball captain could end Test chances
The wicketkeeper-batter has replaced Eoin Morgan in charge of England’s white-ball teams.
-
England
Matthew Potts removes Virat Kohli before India fightback at Edgbaston
James Anderson led from the front with three wickets as India reached tea at 174 for five.
-
News
Senior ECB official suspended amid Devon Malcolm slur allegation – reports
The ECB has declined to comment on the claims.
-
England
James Anderson strikes as England enjoy early success in rearranged India Test
Zak Crawley caught both of India’s openers at second slip.
-
England
Harry Brook named in England’s squads for Twenty20 and ODI series against India
Matt Parkinson has also been drafted in as fellow leg-spinner Adil Rashid will miss both series.
-
England
Heather Knight encouraged by Issy Wong and new-look England pace attack
Debutants Wong and Lauren Bell impressed in the drawn Test with South Africa.