Bowlers to hit deck with major intent
A win against India crucial for Proteas’ semifinal aspirations. London
The Proteas look to bounce back from their heavy defeat at the hands of England when they take on India in the Women’s World Cup today. South Africa is fifth on the log after two wins, the 68-run defeat to England and a no result against New Zealand, and a win against the Indians is crucial in their bid to reach the semifinal.
India, who have won all four matches, can qualify for the lastfour with a win at Grace Road in Leicester today.
Despite conceding 373/5, the fifth highest total in women’s oneday cricket, against England, Proteas captain Dane van Niekerk believes her bowlers can reproduce the team’s stunning form that saw South Africa bowl the West Indies out for 48 in Leicester.
“Our bowlers don’t like getting hit like that, I am sure they will come back firing even stronger so I’m excited to see what they will do in the next few days and how they are going to go about their work,’’ said Van Niekerk.
“Cricket is cricket and it’s how you bounce back.”
Van Niekerk cautioned against the challenge they face against India, the team they lost to in the final of the qualifying tournament to secure their spot at the World Cup.
“India are a brilliant batting side, they have a lot of spinners and they are on a high. They are playing really good cricket and they are the ones to beat.’’
India’s Veda Krishnamurthy is confident her side can maintain their perfect record having already beaten England, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.
“We are more compact than them, because individually, South Africa are very good, but when it comes to collective performance, they really depend on their main players to do well,” she said.
The match starts at 11.30am.