Every game is a must-win

MIGNON du Preez (pictured) says the Proteas are not taking any opposition for granted looking ahead to the team’s next fixture against Sri Lanka today in the ICC Women’s World Cup.

The team arrived in Somerset on Sunday and began preparation for what Du

Preez has described as a mustwin match if the side hope to secure a semi-final spot.

Speaking about the team’s 115-run victory against India in Leicester on Saturday, she said: “We knew that the game against India was a must-win for us to make sure that we have a chance of getting to the semi-finals.

“The girls did a brilliant job, just the way that Lizelle (Lee) batted up front to set up the innings was great to see. There were moments where we didn’t play as well as we could have; we lost a few quick wickets, but all in all, I felt as though everyone chipped in, it was a nice allround team performance.

“Once again, our bowlers were absolutely brilliant. It was the same venue as the West Indies game, so I think the girls really like to play there.”

After a long bus ride to Somerset on Sunday, Du Preez believes that the team showed good intensity at yesterday’s practice.

Sri Lanka have yet to win a match in the tournament so far and Du Preez is aware that they would want to change that with a win against South Africa. She says that they will not underestimate them.

“In a World Cup event we would never take any opposition lightly,” she went on. “We’ve been beaten by them before in an ICC tournament. We know we’ll have to bring our A-game when we play them.

“You can’t think that just because a team hasn’t won a match yet that you will get an easy win. This is a must-win game for us to make sure that we stay alive in the competition and reach the semis, which is our first goal.

“We’ll have a look at the opposition, of course, but we’ll spend most of our time on our game plans and making sure that we execute them to the best of our ability come match day.” – ANA