Sune Luus believes the “momentum” is with the Proteas after qualifying for the ICC Women’s World Cup semifinal with two games to spare.
It will be the Proteas’ third consecutive World Cup semi-final after reaching the knockout stages both in 2017 and 2022. Laura Wolvaardt’s team are among the most consistent major tournament contenders after also progressing to the last two ICC T20 World Cup finals.
“Yeah, it’s exceptional. I think, you know, the team has shown their character in the last couple of games,” said former captain Luus. “I think how we started was not ideal, but to have four wins in a row after that playing good cricket, I think it’s definitely put the momentum on our side.”
The Proteas still have two matches remaining against Pakistan in Colombo on Tuesday before returning to India to face defending champions Australia next Saturday in Indore.
Both matches are crucial in the overall context as the Proteas can finish top of the table should they win both matches.
“We’re just taking each game as it comes. We know our next target is Pakistan,” Luus said.
“We just want to make sure we play good cricket. I think there’s still a couple of players who want to get good performances on the board. It’s a great opportunity for them to do that.
“And just for us to, I don’t think we’ve played our best match yet. We’ve been operating at around 60%. We really want to get that percentage up higher ahead of the semifinal stages.”
Matches in Sri Lanka have been severely affected by weather with New Zealand having back-to-back matches being abandoned due to rain.
The Proteas have been fortunate thus far that they have yet to have a game completely washed out with their last match against the co-hosts in Colombo being heavily affected, but were still able to get in a 20-over contest, which Wolvaardt’s side won comfortably by 10 wickets.
With one match still to play on the island on Tuesday, Luus is holding thumbs for the weather to stay away.
“I think you always want to get two points instead of zero or instead of one,” she said.
“I think we’ve been very lucky so far. We still have one (match) in Colombo, so touch wood. But no, it’s been good. So hopefully it stays away.”
The last match against Sri Lanka saw coach Mandla Mashimbyi make a host of changes with teenage wicketkeeper Karabo Meso being given a run.
Luus has stressed that despite knockout qualification being assured, team changes will still be made according to match tactics.
“It depends on the conditions. I don’t think we just pick players to just pick players. I think the coaches and the selectors are very deliberate behind on how they pick players.
“We brought 15 players here who can do the job. It’s just on the day what’s required, how the matchups work and how the balance of the team is put together.”
