Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
DANÉ ALL-ROUND STAR
Proteas skipper brilliant in almost single-handed destruction of Sri Lanka
First T20I: Newlands Sri Lanka Women: 90/8 (Perera 27; Van Niekerk 3/12) South Africa Women: 94/3 (Van Niekerk 71*; Kulasuriya 1/14) South African won by 7 wickets, lead 3-match series 1-0
PROTEAS Women’s captain Dané van Niekerk led her team’s “rebuilding process” with a perfect all-round performance at Newlands yesterday afternoon.
The skipper claimed three wickets to restrict Sri Lanka to 90/8 in their allotted 20 overs before bludgeoning 71 from 55 deliveries to complete a comprehensive seven-wicket victory.
“I think we started really well with the ball. Our openers set the tone for the match,” Van Niekerk said postmatch.
“We have spoken about stepping stones. Each series is going to be a stepping stone. We have set goals for us a team, whether it’s on the field or off the field leading up to the World Cup.”
The Proteas have certainly set new standards after a disappointing World T20 in the Caribbean last year.
Apart from adopting a more attacking mindset, particularly when batting, they have implemented higher fitness standards.
The team showed its commitment to this policy yesterday when star opening batsman Lizelle Lee was left out for not meeting the team’s fitness standards.
“We made the decision that she won’t take part in this series until she passes her fitness tests,” Van Nierkerk explained. This refreshing attitude towards fitness opened the door for Van Niekerk to open the innings with debutant Tazmin Brits.
Van Niekerk certainly took full advantage of the promotion by destroying the Sri Lankan bowling attack through particularly lofted drives down the ground.
“Obviously with Lizelle not at the top, we felt that I was striking the ball well at the moment coming from the Big Bash. It was also an opportunity for me to face the most balls,” the skipper added.
South Africa will look to continue their domination in the second T20I at the Wanderers tomorrow, where Masabata Klaas will look to add to her two wickets she claimed yesterday.
Meanwhile, Andrie Steyn has been called up as Lee’s replacement.
Steyn joins the team on the back of consistent performances for Western Province in the CSA Women’s Provincial League, with 272 runs in her last four one-day innings, including a century and a fifty.