EXCLUSIVE: Proteas Women are also a big team, says Nonkululeko Mlaba

Proteas Women’s left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba has opened up about the team’s approach at the ongoing ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup — an approach rooted in having fun out on the park, a mindset that has helped them secure famous victories over New Zealand and India.

Who would have thought that the Proteas Women would be sitting with two consecutive wins after being bowled out for 69 and beaten by 10 wickets in their opening match against England?

However, the side has pulled together two remarkable performances, sending a strong message to the rest of the tournament that they mean business.

From Tazmin Brits’ record-breaking century against New Zealand to Nadine de Klerk’s unbeaten 84 in the three-wicket win over India earlier this week, South Africa have shown heart and determination in India.

Proteas spinner Mlaba told Independent Newspapers that the team are in the tournament to win it.

Mlaba revealed that the key to their impressive turnaround following the heavy defeat to England has been their collective effort to enjoy themselves on the field.

“We are in it to win it,” said Mlaba. “We just want to play, have fun and win for the team. That has always been the mentality we have as a team.”

The 25-year-old emphasised that the Proteas play as a unit and are not reliant on individual brilliance — a factor she credits for her success against India, where she produced sparkling figures of 2/46, including the prized wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Harleen Deol.

“Playing for this team is a dream come true for me. Playing alongside these amazing ladies is a feeling I can’t describe. Being able to pull off victories against big teams in big tournaments shows that we are not a small team — we are a big team,” she said.

“We have amazing, talented players. We play as a team, and that’s how it’s supposed to be — you can’t win a game alone, you need everyone to contribute. Having that one player who puts their hand up and does it for the team is a bonus for us.

“Today it can be Nadine, tomorrow it can be someone else — that’s what we have in this team. We don’t rely on one person because we work together and support each other.

“The confidence I have in my game comes from my teammates. They’re always there for me, taking catches — I wouldn’t have got those two wickets without them.

“We need each other as a team. It shows that everyone is working together. I’m very confident, the team is very confident. We’re playing the game and having fun.”

The Proteas are set to face Bangladesh in Visakhapatnam on Monday in their fourth fixture as they look to strengthen their push for a place in the knockout stage.

The match is scheduled to start at 11.30am SAST at the Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Stadium tomorrow