Marx leads Proteas' fightback plans

Eliz-Mari Marx had a superb game in East London but it wasn't enough for the Proteas Women as they went down to England in the first T20 International of the multi-format series on Sunday. Marx and the rest of her team are hoping to turn the tables on Wednesday in Benoni. Gallo Images

The Proteas Women will be looking to bounce back and level the three-match series in the second T20 International (T20I) against England at the Willowmoore Park Stadium on Wednesday, following a narrow four-wicket defeat in East London. With both teams showcasing moments of brilliance in the series opener, an intriguing contest awaits fans in Benoni.

The encounter will gets underway at 6pm SAST, with the action broadcast live on SuperSport and SABC TV and Radio.

Eliz-Mari Marx’s career-best figures of 3/19 was the standout performance for South Africa in the opening game. Her disciplined stump-to-stump bowling dismissed key players, including England captain Heather Knight. Despite her efforts and an all-round display of 29* and 2/20 from Nadine de Klerk, the Proteas fell short of defending their total of 142/5, as England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt guided her team to victory with a commanding 59 off 54 balls (7x4).

Reflecting on her performance, Marx credited her success to meticulous preparation and a focus on improving her bowling skills during her time away from international cricket. “I take a lot of confidence from that performance. It’s always exciting to pick up big scalps and contribute to the team. It's a tough exclusion not to go to the World Cup but it gave me time to work on the things that I wanted to work on for a long time” she noted.

Speaking to the media, Marx highlighted the need for better consistency in both batting and bowling to help the Proteas Women level the series. “If we look at the batting side, obviously losing wickets in clusters didn't help us. Also, from a bowling point of view, tightening up a little bit in the boundary balls. Those are some of the small areas of improvement needed to level the series tomorrow,” the all-rounder added.

While the Proteas are unlikely to make significant changes to their line-up, the playing conditions at Willowmoore Park could influence team strategy. The pitch is expected to offer more bounce compared to Buffalo Park, potentially favouring pace bowlers. Marx noted, “We’ll assess the conditions during training and adapt accordingly.”

The absence of experienced campaigners like Ayabonga Khaka and Marizanne Kapp, who have been rested for this T20I series, adds to the challenge for the Proteas Women. Meanwhile, Chloe Tryon, who arrived from the Women’s Big Bash in Australia just a day before the opening match, missed the first game but is back in contention for the remainder of the series. The seasoned players’ unavailability offers a valuable opportunity for the youngsters in the squad to step up and showcase their talent on the international stage.

“Obviously, we lose experience. But it's also time for some younger players to put up their hands and try and perform. It's big shoes to fill but we try our best every game we take the field,” Marx commented.

Proteas Women T20I Squad - Inbound Tour against England (2024/25)

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions), Faye Tunnicliffe (World Sports Betting Western Province).

Proteas Women IWC ODI Squad - Inbound Tour against England (2024/25)

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Mieke de Ridder (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Lara Goodall (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions).

Proteas Women Tour against England

T20I Series

Sunday from 2pm

South Africa v England – Buffalo Park Cricket Stadium, East London (England won by four wickets)

Wednesday from 6pm

South Africa v England – Willowmoore Park, Benoni

Saturday from 6pm

South Africa v England – SuperSport Park, Centurion

ODI Series

Wednesday, 4 December from 2pm

South Africa v England – Kimberley Oval, Kimberley

Sunday, 8 December from 10am – Black Day

South Africa v England – Hollywoodbets Kingsmead Stadium, Durban

Wednesday, 11 December from 2pm

South Africa v England – JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom

Test

15-18 December from 10am

South Africa v England - Mangaung Oval, Bloemfontein