Shabnim Ismail starred for the Proteas Women's team against Australia. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
Fast bowler Shabnim Ismail described her return to the Proteas Women’s team as coming back to her “family,” following her comeback in the first of three warm-up matches ahead of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. The match against Australia took place in Arundel, England, on Sunday.
Ismail, 37, last played for the Proteas in the 2023 ICC Women's T20 World Cup final against the Aussies at Newlands in Cape Town.
However, the veteran recently came out of international retirement for another crack at T20 World Cup glory. She immediately showed that she has lost none of her class and ability with a fiery spell of 4/39 — claiming the key wickets of Ash Gardner and Grace Harris — as the Proteas edged home by seven runs.
“It was really nice getting over the rope today with the girls. I really felt happy, and I'm happy I actually made the choice to come back and play with them,” Ismail said.
“It felt like family again, and I'm happy we got the winning result.”
Despite having played 113 T20Is previously, Ismail still showed a bout of nerves in her first over back in the green and gold before settling into her natural rhythm.
“To be honest, I was really excited in the first over,” she said.
“Then I bowled a no-ball or two. Then I was thinking, 'Oh, here we go again.' And it's so funny because every time in the nets, the coach is like, ‘Shabz, no-ball!’
“I was like, 'Coach, don't stress about it.' But now I know. He gave me a mouthful, to be honest, and he told me, 'Shabz, you need to work.' And I was like, 'Coach, I'll do that, definitely.'”
The presence of experienced hands like Ismail and all-rounder Marizanne Kapp is expected to be of great value to the Proteas in their bid to go one step further after losing the last two ICC Women's T20 World Cup finals.
Kapp, who has also played a limited number of internationals over the past season, made an immediate impact upon her return. The 36-year-old piloted a rescue mission after the Proteas slumped to 50/5. She struck 49 as part of a critical 88-run partnership with youngster Kayla Reyneke (45), helping push the Proteas to 163/7.
“Kapp's experience is crucial,” Ismail said.
“I'm sure she gave Kayla a mouthful over there in the middle. But it's nice to have that experience. I think they worked really nicely together. And obviously, them getting that partnership took us to the winning total.”
Although it was only an unofficial warm-up match, Ismail stressed that any victory over the juggernaut Aussies is a confidence booster, especially as they were able to execute their plans at the death, with the Southern Stars requiring 24 runs off 18 balls at one stage.
“The way the bowling unit came out, we were confident enough to know that we were going to defend the score. Australia's a world-class team; they've got world-class players,” she said.
“For us to get wickets at crucial stages in the game really took the momentum forward. Hopefully, for the next few training games as well, we can continue that momentum.”