Proteas Women Stay Positive Ahead of Sri Lanka Clash in ODI Tri-Series

COLOMBO: Following a tightly contested defeat against India, the Proteas Women remain optimistic and are focusing on the controllables ahead of their second One-Day International (ODI) Tri-Series match against hosts Sri Lanka on Friday.

The encounter will be held at the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium from 10h00 local time (06h30 SAST) and will be streamed live on Sri Lanka Cricket’s YouTube page.

In their first outing against India, South Africa fell 15 runs short while chasing a target of 277, despite a superb third career century by opening batter Tazmin Brits.

The Proteas Women boast a strong record against Sri Lanka, winning 15 of 23 ODIs. However, in their last meeting in Potchefstroom in April last year, Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Atthapaththu’s unbeaten 195 led her team to a six-wicket win, overshadowing Laura Wolvaardt’s career-best 184.

Speaking ahead of the crucial contest against Sri Lanka, all-rounder and reigning ICC Emerging Women’s Cricketer of the Year, Annerie Dercksen, reflected on the narrow loss and shared the mindset within the squad heading into Friday’s fixture.

“I felt like we were in control for majority of that game and we probably lost in small little moments that swung the game away from us.

“One of the only things you can always control is your attitude and your energy. Our fielding coach (Bongani Ndaba) summed it up pretty nicely; there’s probably 320 balls bowled with all the wides and stuff in there. We probably made 10 mistakes and we’ll be judged on those 10 rather than the 310 other stuff we did well.”​

“For us (the aim) will be to be 100% and strive to be better in even those 10 other little moments and then making sure that it’s a bit more of a well-rounded performance with the bat, walking it through to the end and get the team over the line,” the 24-year old added.

Along with Brits (109 off 107; 13 fours, 3 sixes) and Nonkunkuleko Mlaba (2/55), Dercksen was another standout performer in the first ODI against India. She claimed the important wicket of Smriti Mandhana (36) with the ball before smashing three fours and a six during a career-best 20-ball 30 with the bat.

The Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers star has enjoyed a productive stint in the national setup since making her ODI debut in India last year, earning comparisons to the experienced Proteas all-rounder Marizanne Kapp.

Dercksen, however, is quick to dismiss such comparisons, instead emphasising her desire to grow and learn.

“Yeah, I’ve been compared to Kappie a lot and I’m really not sure why. She’s in a class of her own and someone I really look up to and I see it as a big honour.

“I’ve got four ODI caps, so at the moment I’m looking to learn and experience as much as I possibly can, soaking in all the situations and knowledge from all the players around me,” Dercksen concluded.

Proteas Women Squad – ODI Tri-Series

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), `*Seshnie Naidu (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Miané Smit (Knights) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

*Uncapped

Fixtures – ODI Tri-Series

Sunday, 11 May @ 06h30 SAST – Final: 1st Place vs 2nd Place (R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, Colombo)