THE Proteas Women now have three batters in the top 15 of the ICC T20I batting rankings, with top-order batter Anneke Bosch recently joining openers Laura Wolvaardt (fifth) and Tazmin Brits (ninth) in the crème de la crème of the women’s game.
Bosch broke into the top 15 following top performances in the green and gold, including a 37-ball 46 during the third match against Pakistan Women in Multan last week.
In an exclusive interview with Independent Newspapers, the 31-year-old emphasised that she takes confidence in breaking into the top 15, despite not being the type of player who pays too much attention to the rankings and statistics.
Bosch said the fact that she has joined Wolvaardt and Brits in the top group reflects the form that the batting unit are currently enjoying, and that all this paints a vivid picture of the quality of batters in the Proteas Women’s squad.
“I didn’t know about it. I don’t look at stuff like that. I just try to focus on getting better each game, and each training session, learning something new and improving. I guess it does give me a bit of confidence going into the World Cup,” said Bosch.
The Proteas Women have touched down in Dubai, ready to make their mark at the #T20WorldCup! 🌍🏏
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) September 24, 2024
With grit, determination, and the pride of a nation behind them, they're set to show the world what they're made of! 💪🇿🇦 #WozaNawe #BePartOfIt pic.twitter.com/J2pdJOuWN4
“With Wolvaardt and Brits being our opening batters and also in the top 10 in the rankings, it’s really good for us as a batting unit, knowing that we have two powerhouses. They usually come off, make use of the powerplay well and give us a good start.”
Bosch’s highest T20 ranking is 14th place, which she achieved last December. However, the 31-year-old slipped down the rankings when the year began as her form took a dip.
She said she had to go back to the basics of batting to find form again, and that she had to trust the processes put in front of her by management, which included batting coach Baakier Abrahams.
As one of the few Proteas batters who can float up or down the order depending on the game situation, Bosch’s newfound form means that South Africa are in a good place going into the World Cup.
“It’s trusting the process, being focused on the process and not the result; not over-thinking things and playing freely,” she said.
The Proteas Women enjoyed a special taste of home as the Head of Mission, Consul General Andrew Tsepo Lebona, hosted them for a memorable lunch at Hyperama, in Dubai.
Traditional flavors of wors, pap, steak, and chakalaka filled the air, while the vibrant art around them… pic.twitter.com/zY5Q7MPpxA
“Roles differ sometimes. In some games I bat three, four or five, depending on the situation. It’s about being flexible, being able to adapt to what the team needs on the day and taking the bowlers on.”
The Proteas will play warm-up matches against New Zealand on Sunday (4pm SA time start) and India next Tuesday in Dubai, before their World Cup campaign begins against the West Indies on October 4 at the Dubai International Stadium.
Proteas Women Squad
Laura Wolvaardt (captain), Anneke Bosch, Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Mieke de Ridder, Ayanda Hlubi, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Suné Luus, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Seshnie Naidu, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon
Travelling Reserve: Miané Smit