Zaahier Adams

The Proteas Women’s team are hoping the return of the experienced stalwarts Marizanne Kapp and Ayabonga Khaka for the ODI series will result in a change of fortunes.

Kapp (34) and Kapp (32) both sat out the recent T20I series against England, which the visitors dominated with a 3-0 clean sweep. Convenor of selectors Clinton du Preez had opted to provide a couple of younger players such as Annerie Dercksen, along with a few others greater responsibility in the starting line-up.

Proteas all-rounder Nadine de Klerk believes the exposure to high-pressure situations against a quality team such as England will be of great value longer down the line, but right now Kapp and Khaka’s return will be well received within the dressingroom.

“I think it's massive, especially with Kappy missing the T20Is, in terms of both bat and ball. She opens the bowling for us, and bowls in the difficult parts of the game, and then bats in the top order, so it was always going to be a massive loss,” De Klerk told Independent Media.

“So, to have her back will definitely strengthen the batting and bowling. And then with Ayabonga, she’s been around for a very long time.

She’s one of the best bowlers in our team, bowls at all stages of the game, which is really important. Their experience plays a massive role, and will be very beneficial to our side.”

De Klerk feels that despite the inexperience of the T20 XI, the Proteas still lacked the clinical efficiency that has led the side to two consecutive ICC T20 Women’s World Cup finals.

“If we are honest, we did give a few younger players an opportunity which is always very important in the growing phase and us developing more players,” he said.

“But that’s not an excuse. We lacked partnerships with the bat, we just couldn’t get going. I don’t think we had one fifty in the series and I think with the ball, we also had a very inexperienced bowling line-up, and they put us under pressure, and we didn’t handle the pressure very well. It is really important to take the learnings from that into the ODI series.”

The Proteas Women’s team have been gouging on a buffet of T20 cricket over the past few months, but their focus needs to switch to the longer white-ball format very quickly for this ODI series against England is crucial in the build-up to next year’s World Cup in India. De Klerk, though, feels the composition of the Proteas team is much better aligned to 50-overs cricket.

“It is a format we are all pretty familiar with,” De Klerk said. “It is about doing the basics for a lot longer, and better as well. It is a format we are all pretty familiar with.

“We are confident in our ODI game. With the bat, partnerships is going to be even more important. It is about how we are going to take wickets and put England under pressure.

“We have a lot of experience in our ODI, especially the top order as they’ve shown how consistent they can be. I think with T20 cricket everything is rushed, happens so quickly, but with this game allows you a bit more time that suits our team a little bit better.”

Proteas Women ODI Squad For England Series: Laura Wolvaardt (capt), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Lara Goodall, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Chloé Tryon.

Fixtures

Tomorrow: First ODI, Kimberley Oval, Kimberley @ 2pm

Sunday: Second Black Day ODI, Kingsmead Stadium, Durban @ 10am

Wednesday, December 11: Third ODI, JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom @ 2pm

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