Momentum Proteas captain, Suné Luus, is confident that the Proteas Women are well-prepared to take on a “quality” Pakistan Women’s outfit in Durban, writes Emily Norris.
The Proteas series against Pakistan kicks off tomorrow in the scorching city of Durban at 10:00am SA time.
With preparation now out of the way, it’s time for the Proteas to start their road to the 2022 Women’s World Cup with a solid victory against a quality Pakistan team.
The Momentum Proteas Women last played against Pakistan two years ago in Benoni and Potchefstroom, drawing the ODIs in what was a well-fought series.
Luus stated that even though both teams are missing their main captains, the Proteas’ advantage is that they had international game time over the past few months.
“One advantage that we as a South African team have, is that we’ve had eight players in the Big Bash last year and 2 in the WIP (Women’s IPL),” said Luus in the pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“So we are hoping that with the extra game time, that we are ready to take on the conditions, and we’ve obviously had some more game time than the Pakistan players over the last 10 months so hopefully that’s an advantage for us.”
In terms of the team’s preparation for the series, Luus also stated that: “The camps definitely helped; having one every month. I think we’ve had a lot of middle practice, not just [time] in the nets.
“We’ve really had the opportunities to work outside and in the middle where the game actually takes place, so I don’t think it’s going to be anything new for the girls to play an actual game tomorrow.
“We have also had a Women’s Super League in South Africa over the December holidays,” she added. “Where we had 3 or 4 matches, also out in the middle, of competitive cricket.
“So I think for the girls coming in who haven’t played in the Big Bash or Women’s IPL, they’ve also had their fair share of exposure with middle practices and middle sessions.
“So hopefully tomorrow it will be nothing new and the girls will be good to go.”
Even though the Proteas have never played an international game at Kingsmead, Luus remains confident that they can compete against a “quality” Pakistan outfit.
“We know when we play against Pakistan that we are in for a real battle. Our rivalry has grown over the years and whilst we have had the edge over them historically, we have had some great, challenging series against them and have no doubt this one will be just as competitive.
“We’ve had some good coaches coming through, that are from Durban,” she added. “And [they] know the conditions extremely well, so we’ve had the preparation with them, and with their guidance and experience, we know what to expect.”
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MOMENTUM PROTEAS ODI SQUAD:
Sune Luus (C), Laura Wolvaardt, Trisha Chetty (w/k), Mignon du Preez, Shabnim Ismail, Lizelle Lee, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Nadine de Klerk, Tumi Sekhukhune, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp
Lara Goodall, Nondumiso Shangase, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Faye Tunnicliffe, Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits
Fixture list:
ODI
20 Jan 21 – Momentum Proteas v Pakistan Women – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (10h00)
23 Jan 21 – Momentum Proteas v Pakistan Women – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (10h00)
26 Jan 21 – Momentum Proteas v Pakistan Women – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium (10h00)
Photo: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix
Sune Luus full press conference:
