• Proteas Women hoping to peak at right time

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    The Proteas Women will take on the West Indies in their T20 World Cup opener in Dubai on Friday.

    The Group B match will begin at 12pm (SA time) and be broadcast on SuperSport Cricket (channel 212).

    “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,” said Proteas captain Laura Wolvaardt at the pre-match press conference.

    “Hopefully, we’re peaking at the right time and if we all play our best cricket, then we stand a really good chance.”

    The Proteas have seven wins in 22 T20Is against the West Indies, including one no result. The last meeting between the sides was during the lead-up to last year’s T20 World Cup in South Africa when the Proteas secured back-to-back victories in the 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 in our home conditions. We had a good series, 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.”

    With spin is expected to play a crucial role in UAE conditions. Wolvaardt highlighted Suné Luus’ off-spin and the potential impact of youngster Seshnie Naidu.

    “Sune’s off-spin is coming out really nicely. That’s been something we’ve been lacking in the past two years. It just gives us that different dynamic if there’s left-handers or just helps a bit with match-ups, because previously we’ve just had the two left-armers. 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. That was great exposure for her.”

    Proteas Women’s squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c, Titans), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits (Lions), Nadine de Klerk (WP), Annerie Dercksen (Badgers), Mieke de Ridder (Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Marizanne Kapp (WP), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Suné Luus (Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (Lions), Chloé Tryon (Lions) Travelling reserve: Miané Smit (Free State).

    Photo: ICC

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    Simon Borchardt