'Wear those Protea shirts and support us', says SA cricketer Chloé Tryon

IN an exhilarating lead-up to their maiden Women’s Cricket World Cup final, South Africa’s Chloé Tryon has urged her fellow compatriots to don their Protea shirts and rally behind the team as they prepare to face host nation India in Mumbai today.

KwaZulu-Natal-born Tryon says the team has what it takes to bring the coveted trophy home.

Tryon expressed her heartfelt gratitude towards South African fans for their unwavering support throughout the tournament.

"We just want to make you guys proud. We wear this badge with honour. We don't just wear this for our family but the whole of South Africa. Wear those Protea shirts and go out on Sunday and support us," said Tryon.

The Proteas women booked their place in the world cup final by triumphing over England in the semi-final.

The 13th edition of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup is being hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka.

Since the inaugural 50-over women's cricket world cup tournament in 1973, only a handful of teams, namely England, Australia, and New Zealand, have tasted success, and now South Africa stands on the brink of joining this elite club.

"This is a big opportunity to be in the final. It doesn't come that often. I am really looking forward to playing against a really strong India side.

"The hard work starts again. We will be starting from zero so just preparing really well for a big final," said Tyron.

The Proteas squad this year boasts a unique blend of youthful exuberance and experienced leadership, with Tryon noting the positive dynamics within the team.

"This is a very different team from the last 50-over world cup and T20 world cup. A lot more youngsters have come in and a lot more experienced players who have gone with their role really well. They are leading from the front in this team. It's been a really good gel and the team environment has been really good. I think that's what has helped us with our success over the last couple of weeks," she said.

Tyron added that the performances throughout the tournament have been a really good collective effort.

She said they were in high spirits after winning the semi-final against England.

"We probably didn't start the world cup against them the way we wanted to, especially in the first game in the group stages. It was a good opportunity for us to challenge ourselves to go back up against them. We knew they were a strong team but the focus was to play the best cricket that we can play and I felt we did that really well.

"The atmosphere in the change room was really high after the game. People were trying to wrap their heads around the fact that we made it to the final. There were a lot of emotions. It boils down to all the hard work you put in over the last couple of months. This world cup only happens every four years so it was a big opportunity for us to play our best cricket. And I am happy I was a part of that," said Tryon.

She said the enthusiasm of cricket fans, especially those in the subcontinent, has been fantastic.

"Sometimes you can get overwhelmed if you are not used to big crowds that are very loud, but it has just been great for the game. It's so good to see so many supporters coming out to support the game. The people in India and Sri Lanka love the sport. They are cricket crazy and just to see them coming out to support us has been fantastic, whether it's been us against India or us against anyone. All that support has been really good.

"We want to put women's cricket on the map and grow it even more. To get a lot more people to come and watch and see how they are enjoying the games has been fantastic for this tournament," said Tryon.

Flying the flag for the Hollywoodbets Dolphins at the world cup are left-arm spinner Nonkululeko Mlaba and all-rounder Nondumiso Shangase.

SUNDAY TRIBUNE