Proteas Women target momentum in crucial West Indies ODI series

The Proteas Women are set to begin their white-ball tour of the West Indies, with the three-match One-Day International (ODI) series getting underway at the historic Three Ws Oval in Barbados on Wednesday.

The encounter will be broadcast live on SuperSport Action (210) from 10am local time (4pm SAST).

Speaking ahead of the opening ODI of the tour, captain Laura Wolvaardt reflected on the West Indies' recent form and the threat they pose, particularly on home soil.

"They didn't have the best series over in England but a couple of changes. Hayley Matthews is back. Chinellle Henry is back as well and she's been a pretty key player for them in the last few months.

"You can never take a team lightly in their home conditions. It could be a completely different ball game here with them being at home, having knowledge about the ground that we're playing on. They're not a team that you can take lightly at all.

"They're a team that can easily take the game away from you with how much power they have. We're still going to do our due diligence with our planning and make sure that we're on top of our game come tomorrow."

The return of seasoned all-rounder Marizanne Kapp, following her extended break, has provided a significant lift to the squad, both on and off the field.

"Massive. Kapp is obviously the best bowler in the world and she bats pretty well as well. She's like two players in one, so it's awesome to have her back in the lineup. Just her experience as well. She's been in the Caribbean a bunch of times, so having that knowledge and being able to chat to her will be massive for the series."

With the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2025 held in India later this year fast approaching, the ODI series holds crucial importance for the team’s build-up, particularly in adapting to subcontinental conditions.

"It's a bit slower here than what we're used to back at home, so that is good prep leading into India. Learning as much as possible as a captain, seeing what different bowlers do in different situations and trying out different things.

"At the end of the day, we'll want to start nailing what we're going to do come the big events, since there's not a lot of game time left. Playing the brand of cricket that we want to play before the World Cup will be pretty important this series and hopefully stamping our authority and getting a couple of wins in the series as well, just to give us a bit of momentum heading into that."

Proteas Women Squad

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), 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), Karabo Meso (DP World LIons), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Miané Smit (Knights) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

*Uncapped in T20Is

Fixtures

ODI Series

Wednesday, 11 June - 4pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados

Saturday, 14 June - 4pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados

Tuesday, 17 June - 4pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados

T20I Series

Friday, 20 June - 8pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados

Sunday, 22 June - 4pm SAST @ Three Ws Oval, Barbados

Monday, 23 June -8pm SAST @Three Ws Oval, Barbados