Proteas Women all-rounder, Marizanne Kapp, revealed her dislike for the pink ball ahead of the ACT XI’s three-day warm-up game against Australia starting Friday. 

Kapp has been named in the ACT XI, alongside Proteas captain Dane van Niekerk, for the pink-ball practice game in Canberra against Australia. This will be the Australia Women’s last game before their first day-night Ashes Test, which starts Thursday 9 November.

The 27-year-old had the chance to practice with the pink ball in preparation for the clash, and was not impressed with the experience.

‘This will be the first time I’ve played pink-ball cricket, I’ve had a bowl in the nets and I wasn’t too impressed,’ she told cricket.com.au. ‘The ball got soft really quickly and I’m not looking forward to bowling on the weekend, but I am up for the challenge.’

The No1-ranked ODI bowler is currently living in Canberra and playing for the ACT in the Women’s National Cricket League, but says that the wicket at the Manuka Oval is not conducive to bowlers.

‘This is not my favourite ground, I absolutely hate bowling here,’ Kapp said. ‘Batting is a lot easier on this wicket, so hopefully they give us a greener wicket on the weekend and something happens in the evenings.’

Despite her feelings regarding these shortcomings, she is looking forward to a competitive contest.

‘I think Australia is a really good team and they’ll take this seriously,’ Kapp said. ‘It’s good prep for them as well, they’re a solid team with some really good batters. We’re looking forward to go out there and play our natural game.’

ACT Invitational XI: Samantha Bates, Nicole Goodwin, Hayley Jensen, Jess Jonassen*, Marizanne Kapp, Erica Kershaw, Claire Koski, Katie Mack, Tahlia McGrath*, Erin Osborne (C), Angela Reakes, Belinda Vakarewa*, Dane Van Niekerk