Dané’s girls upbeat about facing England

BRING them on, says Proteas captain Dané van Niekerk. Her team open their ICC T20 Women’s World Cup campaign today against a powerful England side, who are also the current 50-overs world champions.

The English are regarded as one of the favourites for the title, particularly as they boast some of the superstars of the women’s game such as captain Heather Knight, Tammy Beaumont, Nat Sciver and Anya Shrubsole in their line-up.

However, Van Niekerk remembers how her team pushed England, who went on to lift the crown at Lord’s, all the way in a pulsating World Cup semi-final back in 2017. Equally, the Proteas skipper feels that for the first time in two years she has all the personnel that did duty on that fateful day in Bristol all back together. It is likely that 10 of the 11 that played in the 2017 semi-final will take the field at the WACA today.

“The last time we had a fullstrength side was in 2017 and we did really well then,” Van Niekerk said. “So hopefully that counts in our favour but we still have to play really good cricket.

“You have to hit the ground running in your first game and we know how crucial the England game is and if we can get one up on them it will make our road to the semis much easier.”

Although the line-up will likely be similar, the Proteas have learnt a few lessons over the past couple of years and have adapted according to the shorter format. Regular opening batsman Laura Wolfvaardt will drop down to the middle-order, which will allow captain Van Niekerk to join Lizelle Lee upfront.

This change of tactics is to hopefully provide the Proteas with greater firepower against the new ball as they look to target the Powerplay.

“Lizelle has been phenomenal for us up the order and she hit a century at the WACA not long ago,” said Van Niekerk who also did not hide the fact that the Proteas were going to attack England with their pace arsenal of Shabnim Ismail, Marizanne Kapp and Ayabhonga Khaka.

The skipper fully believes in their quality, but has warned her bowlers not to be overly excited with the pacefriendly conditions at the WACA.

“They do set the tone up front for us. I am very lucky to have them. They are going to be key.”

PROTEAS ICC WOMEN’S T20 SQUAD

Dané van Niekerk (captain), Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Sune Luus, Chloe

Tryon, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Tumi Sekhukhune, Trisha Chetty, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase.

Start: 1pm (SA time), TV: Supersport