All-rounder Chloé Tryon is thrilled to be back with the Proteas Women ahead of their eagerly awaited multi-format tour of Australia.
The tour from 27 January to 18 February features T20I and ODI series as well as a one-off Test match.
The 29-year-old last appeared for South Africa at home against New Zealand last October, helping the Proteas secure a 2-1 ODI series win before drawing the rain-affected T20I series 1-1.
During her latest campaign for the Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League, the explosive cricketer sustained a groin injury that ruled her out of the national side’s home encounters against Bangladesh last month.
“It’s been really good,” said Tryon ahead of the Proteas’ first training session in Sydney. “I worked through the whole of December at the Wanderers. I got to work every single day to get my hip nice and strong. I’m happy to be here and be cleared completely. I am really excited to be part of a big series.”
Despite representing South Africa in 100 ODIs (scoring 1,748 runs and taking 44 wickets) and 91 T20Is (1,067 runs and 31 wickets), Tryon has only faced the Aussies once outside of ICC events, when the Proteas went Down Under in 2016 for a bilateral white-ball tour.
“I love the area. I love the place,” she said of Australia. “There are really good cricket facilities and you’re playing the best in the world. It’s been a while since we’ve had a series against them, so it’s really exciting. A lot of youngsters are coming in with a lot of experience from the older ones. It’s going to be a nice tour and a challenging one for us.
“You’re playing the No 1 team in the world, so we have to raise the bar a little bit more and make sure we’re playing at 200%. We know they’re going to come hard at us, especially with a T20 World Cup around the corner. It’s going to be really good prep for us.
“We have to make sure that we’re doing the right things, playing our own game, good brand of cricket, and making sure our fielding is on par. Australia are a very strong side and do well in the field. So we need to make sure in all departments we’re firing.”
Tryon believes the mental aspect of the game will also be key.
“It’s always tough to beat a team like Australia,” said Tryon. “It’s about staying nice and calm, taking every moment as it comes. You don’t want to think too far ahead in the game. If we can take it to the end and make sure we stay in the moment as much as we can, hopefully, we can win.”
Proteas Women’s tour of Australia:
24 January: T20 warm-up vs Governor-General’s XI, North Sydney Oval, Sydney
27 January: 1st T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra
28 January: 2nd T20I, Manuka Oval, Canberra
30 January: 3rd T20I, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
3 February: 1st ODI, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
7 February: 2nd ODI, North Sydney Oval, Sydney
10 February: 3rd ODI, North Sydney Oval, Sydney
15-18 February: Only Test, WACA Ground, Perth
Proteas Women’s squad (T20I & ODI): Laura Wolvaardt (Titans, c), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits (Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (Western Province), Mieke de Ridder (Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Marizanne Kapp (Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Masabata Klaas (Titans), Suné Luus (Titans), Eliz-Mari Marx (Titans), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Chloé Tryon (Lions), Delmi Tucker (Western Province).
