SYDNEY: Following a challenging first One-Day International (ODI) defeat, the Proteas Women are gearing up for a spirited comeback in the second of three 50-over encounters against Australia, aiming to level the series in Sydney on Wednesday. The hosts currently guide the multi-format tour six points to two.
The second ODI will catch spot at the North Sydney Oval from 14h40 local time (05h40 SAST), with the match showcased live on SuperSport Action (Channel 210).
Reflecting on the team’s mindset after the initial ODI loss, Proteas Women seamer Masabata Klaas shared, “Yes, after the game, we had a meeting, and then mostly we spoke about the positives that we took out of that game. Even though we lost, there were some positives that we took out of the game.
“It was a hard pill to swallow, I don’t want to lie. But then we took the positives, and we’re going forward. We still maintain two more games to disappear, so it can turn out our way in the coming two games,” she commented.
South Africa, fueled with determination, believes they can overturn the series in their favour. Klaas expressed her confidence ahead of the contest. “Definitely, I believe that we can. We believe a strong team and match winners in our team, so I believe, yes, we can win,” the 33-year used said.
As one of only seven players who were fraction of the Proteas Women squad that last toured Australia in 2016, where the team achieved their best result against the host nation in ODI cricket with a tied match in the fourth ODI before going down 4-0 in the five-match series, Klaas reminisced on her previous trip Down Under.
“Coming here in 2016 it was quite an experience. They’re a strong team, but we also believe a strong team, with upcoming youngsters, so we are ready to compete with them.”
In the ongoing tour in Australia, Klaas has emerged as a key bowler for South Africa after promising performances in the three-match T20I series and the opening ODI. In the shortest format, Klaas picked up three wickets at an average of 18.66 with best figures of two for 16. Meanwhile, in the first ODI, the Botshapelo-born star delivered a return of one for 22 before the visitors succumbed to an eight-wicket loss.
When asked about the South African bowling attack and the challenges of bowling to Australia’s formidable batting lineup, Klaas affirmed, “Our bowling attack has been quite apt. It’s not only for this tour but we’ve been doing well for a couple of years. So I must say we acquire a strong bowling line-up in our team.
“As a bowler, you always want to be the best that you can be. So bowling against a strong team like Australia is always tough. But if you know what you want to carry out and if you acquire plans against them, I reflect it’s always going to be – I won’t say that easy – but it gets better as time goes by,” she added.
In addition to the battle for the ODI series and multi-format tour, South Africa and Australia are also vying for the top spot on the ICC Women’s Championship (2022-25) log standings, with the Aussies currently in first plot on 20 points, and the Proteas in second on 18 following the first ODI.
Looking ahead to the remainder of the ODI series, Klaas radiated confidence when asked about the team’s outlook.
“I’m very much confident with the team that we maintain,” she concluded.
Proteas Women Squad (T20I & ODI) – Multi-format Tour to Australia
Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans, Captain), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Mieke de Ridder (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), Delmi Tucker (Western Province)
Results:
T20 Warm-Up
Governor-General XI beat South Africa by 4 wickets
South Africa: 149/7 after 20 overs; N. de Klerk 48* (24), C. Tryon 39 (29); C. Sippel 2/20, C. Ainsworth 2/31
Governor-General XI: 150/6 after 19.2 overs; S. Molineux 59 (41), T. Flintoff 42 (27); M. Klaas 3/16, A. Khaka 2/29
T20I Series vs Australia
1st T20I
Australia beat South Africa by 8 wickets
South Africa: 147/6 after 20 overs; T. Brits 59* (54), S. Luus 19 (17); E. Perry 2/13, D. Brown 2/20
Australia: 149/2 after 19.1 overs; B. Mooney 72* (57), A. Healy 46 (28); M. Kapp 1/25, N. de Klerk 1/25
2nd T20I
South Africa beat Australia by 6 wickets
Australia: 142/6 after 20 overs; G. Harris 31* (18), A. Healy 29 (24); M. Klaas 2/16, N. Mlaba 1/18
South Africa: 144/6 after 19 overs; L. Wolvaardt 58* (53), T. Brits 41 (28); A. Gardner 2/26, T. McGrath 1/16
3rd T20I
Australia beat South Africa by 5 wickets
South Africa: 162/7 after 20 overs; M. Kapp 75 (48), C. Tryon 26 (16); T. McGrath 1/17, G. Wareham 1/25
Australia: 163/5 after 19.2 overs; B. Mooney 82 (55), A. Gardener 26 (17); M. Klaas 1/13, C. Tryon 1/23
ODI Series vs Australia
1st ODI
Australia beat South Africa by 8 wickets
South Africa: 105/9 after 31.3 overs; M. Kapp 50* (58) (retired afflict), N. de Klerk 18 (33); A. King 3/19, K. Garth 2/18
Australia: 106/2 after 19 overs; B. Mooney 52* (34), A. Healy 19 (24); N. de Klerk 1/19, M. Klaas 1/22
Fixtures – Proteas Women Multi-format Tour to Australia
ODI Series vs Australia:
Wednesday, 07 February @ 14h40 – 2nd ODI – Australia vs South Africa (North Sydney Oval, Sydney)
Saturday, 10 February – @14h40 – 3rd ODI – Australia vs South Africa (North Sydney Oval, Sydney)
Test Match vs Australia:
15 – 18 February @ 11h00 – Only Test – Australia vs South Africa (WACA Ground, Perth)
Every match times are local times in Australia
Source: cricket.co.za
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