Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Proteas a work in progress despite Pakistan win
South Africa: 223/9
(Wolvaardt 75, Luus 62)
Pakistan: 217 all out
(Sohail 65, Dar 55, Ismail 3/41)
South Africa won by 6 runs
THE Proteas are slowly getting into their stride at the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand.
There remains obvious flaws in their performances, but they just about got the job done through a six-run victory over Pakistan courtesy of a brilliant last over from Shabnim Ismail at the Bay Oval yesterday.
“It is nerve-racking,” captain Sune Luus admitted. “No game is an easy game. But it is encouraging to see we can still get over the line. These two games are out of the way and we need to look at what we need to improve on.”
South Africa’s batting unit are delivering in patches with a heavy reliance on Laura Wolvaardt (75 off 91 balls, 10x4) and Luus (62 off 102 balls, 2x4, 1x6). Both struck World Cup bests yesterday.
Luus has not only taken on the responsibility of leading the team in
Dane van Niekerk’s absence, but is also relishing coming in at No 4 in the batting line-up.
After years of floating around the order while bowling a few overs of her leg-spinners, Luus now has a designated role. It is paying off with her last seven innings, including the two World Cup warm-up matches, being: 46, 56, 47, 86, 0, 25 and 62.
Star opener Lizelle Lee’s much-anticipated return after a sixmonth absence from the Proteas did not yield immediate positive results after being caught behind for two, but the ICC ODI Player of the Year will be much better for it having now spent some time out in the field too.
With Lee restored as Wolvaardt’s opening partner, Tazmin Brits replaced Lara Goodall at first drop but she laboured to an 18-ball two which stifled any momentum in the opening 10-over Powerplay.
South Africa could do worse than consider the possible return of Trisha Chetty to the top. The Proteas wicketkeeper began her career as an opener and No 3 and is in good touch – her cameo of 31 off 26 balls at the backend crucial in the context of this match.
Chetty showed positive intent from the outset by employing both the sweep and reverse sweep, and went the aerial route too.
“I know there’s a lot of people saying that South Africa and Australia should play the finals but we don’t pay attention to that. It has been good to see different players coming to the party. Ismail was clinical and Chetty was good with the bat.”
The Proteas bowlers have learnt their lessons quickly at the World Cup. They were more disciplined in limiting the extras after a wayward outing against Bangladesh last week.
Ismail (3/41) was back to her best again with the new ball with the Proteas speedster on a hat-trick early on. The double-wicket strike included the scalp of Pakistan captain Bismah Maroof for a first-ball duck.
At the death she delivered a fine last over that was highlighted by a brilliant running caught-andbowled catch to dismiss Diana Baig.
“As a strike bowler, I like to come out at the death. I told Sune that I would bowl two at the death. I love catches, that catch was 100% mine,” Ismail said.
The other bowlers performed their roles to perfection with Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka and Masabata Klaas closing out the game despite Pakistan’s Omaima Sohail (60), Nida Dar (55) and Nahida Khan (40) pushing the Proteas all the way in the run chase.