Proteas women continue to break down barriers

THE Proteas women’s team’s accomplished start to the one-day international series has put a spring in their step. If they can fashion a second win against the West Indies tomorrow they will be one step closer to breaking down yet another barrier this year.

Hilton Moreeng’s team have already climbed their Mount Everest when they beat a strong Indian side in their own conditions for the first time earlier this year, but they are now battling the heat and humidity of the Caribbean for a maiden series win there too.

“The team is in a very good place at the moment, but the conditions really are something else. Last night was one of the toughest experiences I’ve had on the field. The pitches were a bit low, to the point of it rolling.

“It was extremely hot and humid, so the conditions are very challenging. In the nets you bat for 30 minutes and you want to pass out. But so far the girls have done really well,” said Proteas batting star Lizelle Lee.

Lee would certainly be a good judge of the conditions, particularly as she has spent easily the most time out in the middle on tour so far. Following on from her Player of the T20 Series award, the powerful right-hander stroked another undefeated 91 in the first ODI to lead the visitors to a comfortable eight-wicket victory on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old was the Proteas mainstay on the Indian tour too with 378 runs in seven matches, including an unbeaten century and three half-centuries, and seems set to match that return with a further four matches still remaining in the ODI series.

Lee has already accumulated 205 runs at an average of 68.60 across formats.

It is this type of consistency that has elevated Lee to the No 2 ranking on the ICC ODI players list – she briefly held the top spot on the Indian tour – and is definitely among the foremost batters in global women’s cricket at the moment.

“I have enjoyed my cricket the last few years and you can see that by my expression on the field and particularly the 50-over game. It is probably the one I stand out the most in for the past couple of years and I am really looking forward to the next couple of games,” Lee said.

“I have realised over the past few years that as soon as (I) try and complicate things, I struggle. I am just trying to keep things as simple as possible.”

The West Indies are certainly no pushovers. The home team may have lacked intent with the bat in the first ODI as the Proteas bowlers tightened the noose, but they still possess dangerous players like Deandra Dottin who can inspire a fightback.

“The West Indies will definitely look to bounce back. They (are) that sort of nation, they won’t go down lying,” Lee said.