The Momentum Proteas Women are under no illusions about the difficulties that they will face when they play Australia in their second ICC Women’s World Cup match on Sunday.
Australia, who are still riding the high of their ICC Women’s World T20 win last year, are also the number-two ODI side in the world following England, and will be a formidable opponent for the number-eight ranked South Africans.
Tough competition is not something new to the Proteas, who come off a harsh 151-run loss against New Zealand, but the side have put that behind them.
“What’s gone is gone,” captain Mignon du Preez said. “Yesterday was not our finest hour and we did not play to our potential but we know what’s needed and we also know what to do to get there. We are going into the Australia match with our heads clear and with our focus on the goal.”
Australia won both their warm up matches leading into the tournament but knowing that they have yet to lose gives South Africa the added desire to be the team to break their streak.
Shabmin Ismail says they will be giving their all tomorrow, “It’s time to go big or go home,” she said. “We all know what is needed from us, and we will be giving that out in spades tomorrow. The bowling really let us down yesterday against New Zealand, but tomorrow is a new day.”
Ismail, who scored 31 from 38 balls including six boundaries, is gaining more confidence in her batting. “Losing out on the tour to the West Indies made me work that much harder in preparation for the tournament. I spent a lot of time on my batting, and I’m glad that it’s showing,” she continued.
Du Preez expects an all-round performance from her side in order to succeed in beating the ladies from down under. “To achieve what many people probably don’t think is possible will require one hundred per cent focus from all of us, and a flawless display with both bat and ball as well as on the field.
“If we minimize the errors and maximize on the opportunities that they give us, there’s no reason why we won’t win,” she concluded.
South Africa’s Women’s World Cup 2013 Group B Fixtures (complete fixtures follow below): Fri 1 Feb: New Zealand beat South Africa by 150 runs Sun 3 Feb: Australia v South Africa, Driems Cricket Ground Tue 5 Feb: Pakistan v South Africa, Barabati Stadium ICC Women’s World Cup 2013 India Tournament Groups: Group A: A1 England A2 India A3 West Indies A4 Sri Lanka Group B: B1 Australia B2 New Zealand B3 Pakistan B4 South Africa ICC Women’s World Cup 2013 India Tournament Schedule (All day matches begin at 0900 while day/night fixtures start at 1430 India time): 31 Jan – India beat West Indie by 105 runs 1 Feb – Sri Lanka beat England by 1 wicket 1 Feb – New Zealand beat South Africa by 150 runs 1 Feb – Australia beat Pakistan by 91 runs 3 Feb – India v England, CCI 3 Feb – Sri Lanka v West Indies, MIG 3 Feb – New Zealand v Pakistan, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack 3 Feb – Australia v South Africa, Driems Cricket Ground, Cuttack 5 Feb – India v Sri Lanka, (D/N) CCI 5 Feb – England v West Indies, BKC 5 Feb – Pakistan v South Africa, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack 5 Feb – Australia v New Zealand, Driems Cricket Ground, Cuttack Super Six Stage*: 7 Feb –A4 v B4 (7th v 8th Play Off), Driems Cricket Ground, Cuttack* 8 Feb – A1 v B1, CCI; A2 v B2, BKC; A3 v B3, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack 10 Feb – A2 v B1, CCI; A1 v B3, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack 11 Feb – A3 v B2, CCI 13 Feb – A1 v B2 (D/N), CCI; A3 v B1, MIG; A2 v B3, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack 15 Feb – 5th v 6th Play Off, Barabati Stadium, Cuttack; 3rd v 4th Play Off, CCI 17 Feb – Final (D/N), CCI * Provided they qualify, each of the top three teams will retain its ranking from the group stage through to the Super Sixes, regardless of their finishing position in the group. For example, England will be ranked A1 whether they finish first, second or third at the end of the group stage. If the fourth ranked team in a group qualifies for the Super Six stage, they will adopt the ranking of the team that they have replaced. For example if Sri Lanka qualifies at the expense of England, Sri Lanka would follow the fixtures for A1 in the Super Six stage. Momentum SA Proteas: Savannah Cordes Yolandi Potgieter Mignon du Preez Marizanne Kapp Cri-Zelda Brits Susanna Benade Dane van Niekerk Chloe-Lesleigh Tryon Shabnim Ismail Sunette Loubser Matshipi Letsoalo
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