Boost as Proteas Anticipate World T20

The Proteas women’s team will go into their first match of the ICC Women’s World T20 against Sri Lanka on September 26 filled with confidence, after beating Bangladesh 2-1 in a warm-up series in Dhaka, and to fine-tune their preparations, will withdraw for a team camp in Bangladesh before departing for Sri Lanka on Friday next week.

(Click here to see a very cool picture of South Africa captain, Mignon du Preez, beaming with both trophies in hand)

The Proteas 16-run win in the third and final match of the series on Friday helped the team make history by being the first women’s team to have a double series win in the sub-continent after winning the ODI series 2-1 last week.

Bangladesh won the toss in a low-scoring match and elected to field first in front of a crowd of almost 15 000 spectators. Shuktara Rhaman and Khadija Tul Kubra took three wickets each to restrict South Africa to 85 all out. Mignon du Preez was the top scorer with 50 from 48 balls and Marizanne Kapp did well to add 21 vital runs off 24 balls.

Team coach, Yashin Ebrahim-Hassen said: “We started off badly; we put up a sub-standard batting performance on a sub-standard pitch but what a brilliant reply from our team to put Bangladesh on the back foot. It was an excellent execution of our game plan and the team handled themselves perfectly. I’m a very happy coach today.”

In a tough situation where the entire team needed to defend the very modest total, South Africa shone in adversity, Dané van Niekerk took the wickets of the opening pair for nine runs to be the pick of the bowlers. Marcia Letsoalo contributed to the tight bowling and disciplined fielding, reducing the hosts to 33/3 when she dismissed Salma Khatun for seven at the end of the 11th over.

Bangladesh’s top scorer, Farzana Haque, lost her wicket for 23 off 31 balls when she was caught by substitute Shandré Fritz off Sunette Loubser at the start of the 16th over. Three balls later Rahman was dismissed for eight, bowled by Kapp and, an over later, Ritu Moni was run out by Alison Hodgkinson for three.

Bangladesh were 68/7 with just four balls left of the game when they lost Sanjida Islam for five. They could not recover and South Africa continued their ruthless performance to the last second.

Mignon du Preez is delighted by her team’s performance.

“I’m actually lost for words at the moment. To play in front of so many people who supported their side all the way and for us to still win the match is something special. The team showed that dog fight that SA are known for and played amazing cricket while supporting one another all the way. I’m a very proud captain.”

Shabnim Ismail and Susan Benade were named the Players of the T20 Series.