Johannesburg – Although disappointed at the outcome in the second One-Day International against the West Indies, the Proteas women’s team feels that they remain on track as far as the build up to the World Cup is concerned.
In just over a month, South Africa starts its campaign in that tournament by facing Bangladesh in Dunedin, and the current series against a motivated West Indies side, has helped to reacquaint the players with the demands of international cricket after months without playing and an extended period of training.
Stafanie Taylor’s team has played with a level of intensity that surprised the South Africans while Deandra Dottin’s explosive knocks at the top of the innings have put the home team under pressure. However that is exactly what the Proteas would have wanted.
It’s allowed them to get the competitive juices flowing. “I feel that as a team the intensity was there and even though we were behind, the positivity remained there to ensure we got as close as we could to getting it over the line,” wicketkeeper Sinalo Jafta said on Wednesday.
Monday’s match ended in a tie, with South Africa’s bowlers, led by a maiden ‘five-for’ from Ayabonga Khaka, defending a below-par total of 160. Dottin then dominated the ‘super over’ to get the West Indies a win, but just that level of fight was enough to lift South Africa’s spirits.
This series is very much an experimental one for the Proteas, with captain Sune Luus emphasising the importance of testing new combinations. In the absence of Dane Van Niekerk, who won’t go to the World Cup because of a broken foot, Lizelle Lee with Covid and for the first two matches of the series, Marizanne Kapp with a shoulder niggle, examining new combinations is understandable.
Jafta falls into that category. With Trisha Chetty established as the no.1 ‘keeper for the Proteas, Jafta has the opportunity against the West Indies to show what she can do. The 27 year old is an energetic presence behind the stumps, but South Africa will hope she can contribute more with the bat. “Temperament is everything and consistency is the one thing I’ve been working on in the last couple of months, and thus contributing for the team whether with bat or gloves,” she said.
She made 16 in South Africa’s innings on Monday, but is aware that more is expected of her. “It was a good track to bat on, and for my dismissal I have to take accountability for that. Once you’re in you have to take responsibility to cross over the line.”
Thursday’s match third One-Day International is a day/night affair starting at 2pm.
Squads:
South Africa: Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Nadine de Klerk, Mignon du Preez, Lara Goodall, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Sune Luus (capt), Nonkululeko Mlaba, Raisibe Ntozakhe, Tumi Sekhukhune, Andrie Steyn, Chloe Tryon, Laura Wolvaardt
West Indies: Stafanie Taylor (capt), Anisa Mohammed (vice-captain), Aaliyah Alleyne, Shemaine Campbelle, Shamilia Connell, Deandra Dottin, Afy Fletcher, Cherry Ann Fraser, Jannillea Glasgow, Chinelle Henry, Kycia Knight, Mandy Mangru, Hayley Matthews, Chedean Nation, Karishma Ramharack, Kaysia Schultz, Shakera Selman, Rashada Williams
IOL Sport