It would have been difficult to anticipate two more contrasting results in their opening games of their Cricket World Cup campaign, but the fact that the Proteas women’s side bounced back in such fine fashion is a testament to the character within the team.
In South Africa’s first match last week against England, the Proteas crashed to 69 all out and a 10-wicket defeat.
Just a couple of days later against New Zealand, the batters that looked unsure whether to play forward or back to every delivery now looked assured and confident.
The Proteas were led by Tazmin Brits who scored a majestic 101 from 89 balls, and an unbeaten 83 from 114 by Sune Luus.
Brits and Luus combined for a second wicket stand of 159 which effectively sealed their chase of 232 to win.
South Africa’s Resilient Victory Over New Zealand in the Cricket World Cup
Of course, this victory was in no small part thanks to a fine display from the SA bowlers. In fact, Marizanne Kapp (1/34) set the tone for South Africa by striking with the first ball of the match as she bagged the big wicket of Suzie Bates immediately.
Although New Zealand recovered with a number of handy partnerships to reach 187/3, their last seven wickets fell for just 44 runs.
Chief destroyer for the Proteas Nonkululeko Mlaba with 4/40.
It was an incredible way to bounce back from that deflating opening loss, and showed the resilience within this side.
That opening defeat would have been a particularly painful way to start, as coach Mandla Mashimbyi and skipper Laura Wolvaardt have not minced their words about their aspirations at this 50-over Cricket World Cup – they want to win it, and nothing less.
Given the manner in which they dispatched the much-fancied Black Ferns, there’s good reason to believe Mashimbyi and Wolvaardt mean what they say.
@Michael_Sherman
IOL Sport
