SOUTH Africa’s women head into the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with all eyes on them after they reached the final of the last edition of the tournament here at home last year.
Despite falling short at Newlands in the final last year, the Proteas Women still achieved a historic feat as they became the first senior South African team – men or women – to reach a World Cup final.
Despite that achievement, former captain Sune Luus told Independent Newspapers that they feel no pressure heading into the World Cup.
“I don’t think there is added pressure,” said Luus. “I think we know what it feels like to be in a final and we would love to be in that situation again. Hopefully, with the experience of last year, we can get over the line if the opportunity presents itself.”
The Proteas Women have had the best possible preparation going into the World Cup in the UAE.
With the tournament being staged in conditions that will be slow and spinner-friendly, which is the total opposite of what South African players are accustomed to at home, it would have been unfair to expect the team to match their runners-up finish in last year’s edition of the showpiece event.
However, having played five T20 series either against subcontinent teams or in the subcontinent in the past 12 months, including the ongoing series against Pakistan in Multan, the Proteas Women really should be able to hold their own.
Moreover, the team has had multiple camps in an attempt to up-skill the players to be better prepared for the conditions that they will encounter in the World Cup.
“I think playing all the subcontinent teams gave us the best possible chance,” said Luus.
“We have really been working hard to be better at that (facing spin) as a batting unit and really get a better understanding of our games against it.”
The Proteas Women might have beaten Pakistan in their backyard earlier this week, but the hosts certainly handed them an wake-up call.
South Africa’s batting performance was flat and the overall effort in the field was dismal as multiple chances were put down down during the first T20 match.
However, there were still positives to take out of that clash and one of them was that former captain Luus was back bowling again after a lengthy period playing only as a batter.
This means South Africa now has more spin options, which is good going into the World Cup.
Also, with her experience captaining in the World Cup, Luus has a lot to offer captain Laura Wolvaardt who will be making her World Cup debut as captain in the UAE next month.
Luus says her door is always open for Wolrvaardt to ask questions because at the end of the day, captaining in the World Cup is a different ball game.
“I want to still contribute in every aspect of the game, so (bowling) off-spin is something I played around with and it became an option. It just gives the team an extra option,” said Luus.
“Laura has a year under her belt with captaincy, I feel like she’s found her feet and rhythm nicely.
“Obviously a World Cup is different, but she knows my door is always open and I do my best to help her take care of small things on the field.”
The second T20 between Proteas Women and Pakistan will get under way today at 4pm.