HomeCricket World Cup 2022CWC22: South Africa Shades Away their Underdog Tag, Looks To Continue The...

CWC22: South Africa Shades Away their Underdog Tag, Looks To Continue The Momentum In The World Cup

South Africa, the team which has lost only one match in the last 12 months, would like to carry on their momentum in the World Cup as well. They lost against England, in Semifinal in their last appearance in 2017, while it was one of their best appearances. South Africa will miss Dane van Niekerk, who has been in excellent form in the inaugural edition of  The Hundred in 2021.
South Africa will depend on the blistering opening duo of Lee and Wolvaardt in the opening overs. In the last three series, Lee has scored 536 runs at an average of 134 while Wolvaardt has managed to amass 486 runs at an average of 41. While Lee has scored 6 fifty + scores in 8 innings, Wolvaardt hit 5. Both of them compensate each other.
The wicketkeeper-batter is the third-highest run-scorer in Women’s ODIs since the last World Cup. Lee has scored 1508 runs in 34 matches during this period, at an outstanding average of 53.85, including two centuries and 11 half-centuries. While  Lee wants to blast from the beginning of the innings, Laura looks to take time while building her innings.  Both of them have scored more than 250 runs in the last WC.
Their middle order will be dependent on the shoulders of veteran Mignon Du Preez. Her average of 57 in the last WC, speaks volumes of her ability. Her 322 runs in 10 innings and 3 half-centuries. Besides sending the balls to the boundary in every 14 balls, she is a very busy player in the middle. Sune Luss, Lara Goodall, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty will take care of the middle overs.  The combination of experienced and young guns will boost the Protea side.

While South Africa included, Sinalo Jafta as the wicketkeeper, veteran Trisha Chetty will once again go to play a key role, with bat and behind the wicket. Though Chloé Tryon has not been in touch for some time, her blistering knocks can increase the run rate in the dying overs. New Zealand is known for its smaller grounds where one can expect much more runs and her all-around abilities can be an X factor for the side.

While South Africa will miss, their regular captain who has picked up two four-wicket hauls in the previous edition, South African spin will be looking forward to Luss to led the attack. Luss – Sekhukhune both of whom picked up 8 wickets each in last year, look to dominate the middle overs.  South Africa is known for the fearsome fast bowling attack, but the spinners will give the seamers a much series break while keeping the runs in check.
A pace attack consisting of  Khaka, Kapp, Ismail, and Klass can destroy any batting lineup on their day. Kapp and Ismail like to hunts in pairs.  While Kapp is immaculate in her line and length with outswingers, Ismail, the fastest bowler, keeps batters at bay with her raw pace. 21 wickets under her name in the last 13 innings with an economy of 4, Ismail is once again going to be the player to watch out for. Klass has 17 wickets and is an ideal 3rd seamer.
South African Skipper, Sune Luss has claimed that with three back-to-back series wins they are very high on confidence. believes her side are more than capable of taking the next step and reaching the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup. She concluded that after many successful and unsuccessful games and series, they are confident that whoever walks out onto the park on the day can do the job.
A strong squad with a combination of experienced players and a couple of players who will be making their World Cup debut, South Africa will be a strong contender for the World Cup.

Previous World Cup Appearances: 1997, 2000, 2005, 2009, 2013, 2017

Best Finish: Semi-finalist – 2000 and 2017

Fixures:

  • 5 Mar – v BAN
  • 11 Mar – v PAK
  • 14 Mar – v ENG
  • 17 Mar – v NZ
  • 22 Mar – v AUS
  • 24 Mar – v WI
  • 27 Mar – v IND

Squad: Suné Luus (c), Chloé Tryon (vc), Ayabonga Khaka, Lara Goodall, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Marizanne Kapp, Masabata Maria Klaas, Mignon du Preez, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Tazmin Brits, Trisha Chetty, Tumi Sekhukhune. Travelling reserves: Andrie Steyn, Nadine de Klerk, Raisibe Ntozakhe

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