Cricketers wary of spin threat
Despite playing a limited overs series in the Caribbean a few weeks ago‚ the South African women’s cricket team remains wary of the spin threat at the Twenty20 (T20) World Cup later this month. The Proteas played five T20s and three ODIs (one-day international) against the West Indies recently but captain Dane van Niekerk does not agree with the perception they will have an advantage during the tournament.
“We are not going to take anyone lightly because the conditions there suit sub-continent teams a little bit more,” Van Niekerk said.
SA is in Group A with hosts West Indies, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Bangladesh and Sri Lanka usually do well on flat and turning pitches that are known to provide assistance to the spinners.
Coach Hilton Moreeng said given the expected slow pitches and the threat of the spinners from Sri Lanka‚ Bangladesh and West Indies‚ who will be comfortable on home conditions‚ the powerplay is going to be vital.
Van Niekerk added that the bowling team would have a better chance of winning the tournament.
“I believe that the best bowling team in the Caribbean will win the World Cup‚” she said. “In general at the moment in women’s cricket‚ it is difficult to defend with the four fielders out and the smaller boundaries. That is the main thing we are going to focus on as the bowling because we have fell short at the last World Cup in England. We have said it more than a hundred times that we can beat anyone‚ it just depends on what we do on the day.”