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Proteas Women to open World Cup bid against West Indies

Writer's picture: Cricket SACricket SA

After months of preparation and matches both at home and abroad, the Proteas Women are set to kick off their ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with an exciting clash against the West Indies in Dubai on Friday afternoon.

The Group B match will begin at 2pm local time (12pm SAST) at the Dubai International Stadium, with live coverage available on SuperSport Cricket.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt shared her confidence heading into the tournament.

“We're a very talented group of players. We've had a few ups and downs in recent times but I like to think that we've put in a lot of good hard work and have a lot of really clear plans heading into this World Cup. Hopefully, we're peaking at the right time and if we all play our best cricket, then we stand a really good chance,” she added.

The Proteas will be aiming to improve their overall record against the West Indies, with seven wins in 22 encounters, including one no result. The last meeting between the two sides was during the lead-up to last year’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa. The Proteas secured back-to-back victories in the T20 International Tri-Series, which also featured India.

Reflecting on their upcoming opponents, Wolvaardt remarked: "Deandra Dottin is back. She's a world-class player. I don't think she was there the last time we played them and that was on our home conditions. We had a good series if I remember correctly. But these are totally different conditions now. Hayley Matthews is probably in the best form she's been in for a long time. I'm not sure if she scored many runs in that series but she has definitely scored a lot since then.

"She's probably the key wicket. If we can get her out early, or at least keep her quiet, it will be good for us," Wolvaardt added.

Spin is expected to play a crucial role in the UAE’s conditions. Wolvaardt expressed confidence in the team’s spin options, particularly highlighting Suné Luus' spin and the potential impact of youngster Seshnie Naidu

“It's good. I think even better than we expected with Sune's off spin coming out really nicely. That's sort of been something that we've been lacking in the past two years, is an off spinner that is in the side regularly. And just to have that off spinner in the top four or five, it just gives us that different dynamic if there's left-handers or just helps a bit with matchups, because previously we've sort of just had the two left-armers and it makes it difficult if there's two left-handers in, for example, because it just balls into the arc.

“It's nice to have that option. Seshnie had a good run in Pakistan as well. I think that was great exposure for her,” she commented.


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