SA’S key players against Windies
THE Proteas women’s team are back in action this week after spending the winter in hibernation.
They are in the idyllic Caribbean, where they will face a strong West Indies team across three T20s and five one-day internationals.
We look at five Proteas to keep an eye on ahead of the first T20 in Antigua today (8pm SA time start).
Dane van Niekerk
All eyes will undoubtedly be on the captain’s return to the national team after a lengthy absence due to injury.
Van Niekerk is obviously in good form, though, coming off her excellent Player of the Tournament performance in the inaugural The Hundred competition in England.
While her class and ability are unquestionable, it will be interesting to see how she assimilates into the squad again, especially after the team had done so well in her absence under the leadership of Sune Luus.
“I need to find my feet. I don’t want to come back in and bash everyone with what I believe or what I think. They’ve created a very good atmosphere and environment, and I want to join in, because it’s been a very successful one,” Van Niekerk said.
Chloe Tryon
Tryon is another senior member of the Proteas side returning to the team after a lengthy break, and the former vice-captain will be looking to make a big impact just to remind everyone of her abilities.
Although one of the most powerful strikers in the women’s game, which has seen Tryon continuing to pick up deals in the global franchise leagues, she faces plenty of challengers from the youthful brigade bubbling under for her slot in the middle order.
A quiet Hundred competition has not helped her cause either, and Tryon certainly has it all to do in the West Indies if she hopes to remain a permanent fixture in the starting line-up building up towards next year’s World Cup.
Tazmin Brits
Arguably one of South Africa’s unluckiest sportspeople – let alone cricketer – Brits is keen to make up for lost time.
The powerfully built right-hander had a breakout T20 series against Pakistan, in the absence of Van Niekerk, at the top of the order with two consecutive Player of the Match performances.
Unfortunately, Britz was not able to take that momentum into the subsequent Indian tour, having to return home due to the death of her father.
However, she is back in the swing of things now after an excellent SA Emerging Tour to Zimbabwe recently, and is looking to have a full crack at the West Indies.
Nonkululeko Mlaba
With the pitch conditions in the Caribbean expected to favour the slow bowlers, there will be plenty of focus on left-arm spinner Mlaba.
The 21-year-old has been a revelation since joining the Proteas at last year’s T20 World Cup.
Although primarily a defensive spinner who prefers to keep things tight with fast-paced deliveries, Mlaba may need to alter her game plan to a more attacking line, utilising greater flight and turn due to the conditions, as her team may need her to play more of a strikebowling role.
Sinalo Jafta
Although Jafta has primarily been chosen as the back-up wicket-keeper to veteran Trisha Chetty, there is every chance that the roles could be reversed by the end of tour if she is granted an opportunity.
Jafta is a very neat keeper who is blessed with good hands and has not let the team down whenever Chetty has been unavailable.
Equally, she is more than capable with the bat as she uses her wrists to good effect, having been a very good hockey player in the past.