Vezi confident WP Women are ready to shine ahead of new season

World Sports Betting Western Province Women’s bowler, Nosipho Vezi, revealed that the team has been putting in extra effort during pre-season training, focusing on sharpening the finer details of their game as they build towards the start of the 2025/26 season in October.

The Hollywoodbets Pro20 champions will be aiming to claim both titles this season – the T20 crown and the Hollywoodbets Pro50 trophy, in which they finished as runners-up last season.

The Girls in Blue will kick off their new campaign with an away trip to Oudtshoorn, where they are scheduled to face the Garden Route Badgers Women on 4 and 5 October.

The 24-year-old explained that the team’s preparations for the season have been going well, although they would have preferred to spend more time training outdoors.

However, Cape Town’s cold and wet winter made that difficult.

“The season has been going according to plan so far. We’ve spent most of our pre-season indoors because of winter - as you know, Cape Town always has a cold and wet winter,” said Vezi.

“We are looking forward to being outside so that we can test what we have been working on indoors. Our bowling drills have been going so well, same as our batting tactics. We are now looking forward to that first game against the Badgers.”

As Claire Terblanche’s side prepares to embark on a weekend camp starting on 19 September in Citrusdal, the team has been working hard in training to fine-tune their skills.

The 2023/24 WSB WP Women’s 1-Day Cup Player of the Year and WSB WP Women’s Player of the Year says the squad is determined to sharpen their game ahead of the new season.

“We have been working on finer details as the new season is approaching,” she said.

“I must say that it’s not working in our favour in terms of improving our fielding skills because we have been indoors.

“We do miss practicing outside because it gives us a sense of what it’ll be like when we play. It’s been tough when you think about the three primary skills – bowling, batting and fielding – because we haven’t done our fielding drills yet.”

Vezi says the Newlands Faithful, the team’s loyal supporters, can expect an exciting brand of cricket from the side.

“Our fans must come in numbers to support their favourite team and they can expect entertainment and more. We have expanded our skills and are looking forward to showcasing them in front of everyone,” she added.