EXCLUSIVE: “I Have A Positive Mindset And I’m Very Optimistic”- Sune Luus

Sune Luus has been a cornerstone of South African women’s cricket for over 12 years, a journey marked by a blend of thrilling highs and challenging lows. Despite a difficult year plagued by low scores and a struggle to regain form, Luus’ recent performance in the one-off Test against India was a testament to her resilience and determination.

In these innings, Luus reminded everyone why she is a legend of the game. When her team needed her the most, she delivered, proving that true champions shine the brightest when their backs are against the wall. Her performance was a masterclass in the art of batting under pressure, and it will be remembered as one of the finest displays of resilience and skill in women’s cricket.

In the first innings, Sune Luus demonstrated her ability to anchor an innings under pressure. Her 65 off 164 balls was a masterclass in patience and determination. The pitch was challenging, and the Indian bowlers were relentless, but Luus stood firm, playing each ball on its merit and ensuring that her team had a solid foundation. This innings was not just about the runs she scored but also about the time she spent at the crease, weathering the storm and frustrating the bowlers.

But it was in the second innings that Luus truly shone. With South Africa in a precarious position, she walked in with the weight of expectation on her shoulders. What followed was an innings of sheer brilliance. Her 109 off 203 balls was a mix of grit and flair. She picked her moments to attack, rotating the strike efficiently and putting away the bad balls with precision.

Every boundary was a statement, every single was a testament to her game awareness. Her century was not just a personal milestone but a crucial contribution to her team’s cause.

Sune Luus’ performance was not just about the runs but also about the way she carried herself on the field. She was calm, composed, and in control, leading by example. Her innings in both the first and second innings were a perfect blend of technical proficiency and mental toughness. She read the game situation perfectly and adapted her style of play accordingly, showcasing her versatility as a batter.

Reflecting on her journey, Sune Luus shared an inspirational piece of advice that has stayed with her: “Just be where your feet are.” This philosophy, introduced to her by the new batting coach Baakier Abrahams, has profoundly influenced her approach to the game.

“I was really struggling to kind of just be in the present and not look too forward or too far behind. So one of the things he said to me, it’s really sticking with me.”

Struggling to remain present and not get lost in past failures or future anxieties, Luus found solace in this simple yet powerful mantra. “It reminds me to stay present and enjoy every moment because this can be taken away tomorrow. The past is the past, nothing you can do about that. So just to really be where your feet are, be present and just enjoy every moment,” she said, emphasizing the importance of living in the now.

In an in-depth conversation with Women’s CricInsight before the one-off test, Sune Luus opened up about her recent form, her evolving mindset, and her passion for the game.

Battling Through Tough Form

When asked about her recent performances, Sune Luus candidly admitted that she hadn’t been delivering the results she aimed for. “The process is in place,” she said, “I have a very positive mindset and I’m very optimistic. Cricket has ups and flows and sometimes you’re going to go through a purple patch. Smriti Mandhana at the moment, she’s just hitting the ball so well. Sometimes you have to craft a little harder and work a little harder for those runs.” Luus acknowledged the ebb and flow of cricket.

“The big one is really around the corner. I feel very good in the net and my mindset is right.” Little did she know that she would go on to not just score the bulk of runs for South Africa in the one-off test but also become the fulcrum of their batting efforts.

“I’m starting to bowl again, which is very cool. So hopefully I get a few more opportunities in the games. But yeah, in a good space, although the performance hasn’t been backing that. Still in a very good space,” she noted, adding that she was also starting to bowl again, which brought her joy and optimism about future opportunities.

Learnings from the ODI Series Against India

Reflecting on the ODI series against India, Luus pointed out the consistency of the Indian team as a key learning point. “It wasn’t really the ODI series, we would have liked. They were so consistent with the ball and the bat, something we’ve been lacking in our bowling attack, and the batting a little,” she said.

Despite the series not going as planned, there were positives, including debut performances and strong fielding displays. Reflecting on the same, she said, “There were a lot of positives. We had two or three debuts. So that’s very good to look back at. Our fielding performance was very good in all three games. We’ve got a new fielding coach as well. He’s been very proud of us. Just trying to remind us that we can throw our bodies around and we can be one of the best fielding units in the world. So that’s been a positive.” With a new fielding coach instilling confidence, Luus highlighted the strides made in this area, showing pride in their progress and optimism for future improvement.

She also spoke about the role of the new batting coach in place and delved deeper, “Obviously having a new batting coach on and although we haven’t been very consistent with the bats or putting those performances, he has a very good process in place. He reminds us, it’s not going to happen overnight. In our goal, obviously, we have a 50-over World Cup the next year in India, so working towards that. By then, the process will be working and everybody will have clear roles and, you know, will have set spots in the team.”

The Unique Challenge of Test Cricket

Luus expressed her excitement about playing in the one-off Test and her thoughts on the broader scope of women’s Test cricket. “Both of the tests we played was in England and in Australia earlier this year. I would love to play more Test Cricket. I just think we don’t have enough preparation for it to really compete or to really understand the game and really get into it.”

Having played Tests only in England and Australia previously, she cherished the opportunity but underscored the lack of preparation time. “It’s a great initiative to have women’s Test Cricket. India has introduced a three-day or four-day competition [referring to the re-introduction of the Senior Women’s Inter Zonal Multi Day Trophy]. That’s really something to look into. That gives the players the best chance to perform at a test and to really understand Test Cricket,” she said, pointing to India’s introduction of three-day or four-day competitions as a positive step.

“Whereas I think if you just play one-off tests but you don’t really have preparation for that, it’s really difficult to come in two days before and then switch it all might into Test Cricket if you’re not in a test. If you don’t play those competitions back at home or have that regularly. It’s always an honour to play Test Cricket for your country and think playing it in India, it’s going to be awesome. It’s going to be a very big challenge. But it’s something that we live for. You want to play Test Cricket and do it in India, it’s going to be amazing. So looking forward to that.” The honour of playing Test cricket for her country, especially in India, was a challenge she relished.

Domestic Cricket Scene in South Africa

“Before we can get to test match comps and stuff like that, there’s still a lot of groundwork to do in South African women’s cricket. We only started now to become professional at a domestic level, which is very good. I think the next step would be to get more cricket. We don’t play enough cricket back home.”

Discussing the potential for a red ball tournament in South Africa, Luus emphasized the need for more groundwork. “We only play two months out of the year, which is really not enough,” she explained, advocating for more cricket at the domestic level to build depth and readiness for longer formats.

“I don’t think we have the depth in the country yet because of the lack of games and only getting professional now. There’s a lot to happen before we can start introducing four-day or three-day competitions. Also, the likes of the SA20 that still hasn’t realized. There’s all things that still need to happen before we can even start looking at a red-ball competition.”

The professionalization of domestic cricket was a crucial step, but Luus stressed the importance of continuous development and more playing opportunities.

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Growth and Aspirations

Reflecting on South Africa’s growth in women’s cricket, Luus highlighted the impact of players participating in overseas leagues like the WPL, Big Bash, and The Hundred.

“The players getting the opportunities to go play overseas in the WPL in the Big Bash and The Hundred, et cetera. I think players that get to play, they learn so much and then they bring their knowledge back so the younger players can feed off them and just learn things we don’t necessarily get to learn back home. So those competitions have really grown some of the players in our team and then for them helping us as well.”

These experiences brought valuable knowledge back to the team, fostering growth and improvement. Despite the progress, she called for more cricket and game time to continue the development trajectory.

“There’s still a lot of growth. Being professional is one of the first steps that needed to happen. So I would just like to see more cricket being played and that’s what everyone wants to see back home. Just more cricket, more game time. We’ve started with the T20 leg of our domestic thing to be on television, playing double-headers ahead of the men, which is a really good sign. Getting women’s cricket out there for the country to see. So that’s really great. There’s still a lot to do, but there are small steps. More sponsors can get on board, which means more opportunities for cricket for women and men around the country.”

Bittersweet Past World Cup Campaigns

Luus shared her memories from significant World Cup campaigns, including the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2017 semi-final and the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020 semi-final. “Obviously going through those periods and going through those games, you just take the learning from it and you try and be better than that. Obviously, in the 2020 World Cup, we were very unlucky with the DLS. I don’t think that game should have taken place, but that’s a debate that’s still going on till the end of but I think everything happens for a reason.”

While acknowledging the disappointments, she focused on the learnings and the pride of those moments. “Every time we go into a big event like a World Cup, we just take what we’ve learned from previous World Cups and we try and implement it and be a little better every time,” she said, underscoring the hard work and professionalism required to reach such heights.

Resilience After the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2023

The narrow loss in the 2023 T20 World Cup at home was a bittersweet experience for Luus and her team. Reflecting on the game, she noted the pride and gratitude felt by the team, despite the heartbreak. “It was obviously very disappointing for us to not get over the line. I think it was only 18 runs or 19 runs. If you look back and you think, where could we have got that 19 runs? It seems so simple. But no, the overall emotion of that day was just, we were all just so grateful and proud to be there in that moment. Winning a World Cup doesn’t just happen. There’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes,” she said, highlighting the importance of those experiences in shaping their future endeavours.

Discussing Australia’s dominance in world cricket, she praised their successful domestic structures and consistent performances. “Australia is such a professional unit and they have such a lot of experience. And they do everything right, regarding club level, domestic level, everything just falls into place and they work really hard to be in a number one in the world for so many years, she said, acknowledging the importance of strong foundational systems.

“So to win a World Cup, it takes a lot. But I think we were just very proud to be there on that day. We all had our families there. The stadium was packed. It was a really big moment in South African cricket.”

Career Highlights and Personal Growth

When asked about her favourite career moment, Luus pointed to the 2023 T20 World Cup semi-final, a memory she will cherish forever. “I really think the World Cup last year, you know, the semi-final game, that was incredible just to be a part of it. That’s a moment that will stick with me forever and then I will cherish forever. I think that feeling doesn’t often come along. That was a very special moment in my career.”

Anticipation for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh

As Sune Luus gears up for the T20 World Cup, the prospect of playing in South Asian conditions looms large. Reflecting on her experiences, she draws parallels between the current tournament in India and a previous World Cup held in Bangladesh.

“Having a T20 World Cup in Bangladesh and obviously being in India now, you would think conditions would be quite similar being in the subcontinent,” she observes. Despite the geographical proximity, the playing conditions have varied significantly. “We’ve gotten a little bit of everything with the two wickets we played on,” she notes.

The unpredictability of the pitches adds an extra layer of complexity. Luus anticipates that the remaining matches will be played on low, slow, and turning wickets, similar to the practice nets they’ve encountered.

“Not sure how it will be, but if it’s any indication like the practice net, probably very low and slow and turning,” she predicts. While Bangladesh is known for preparing high-quality wickets for World Cups, Luus expects the conditions to mirror the typical subcontinental traits. “Bangladesh will kind of play the same, although they’ve been preparing very good wickets for World Cups,” she adds.

Playing in the subcontinent is always a formidable challenge for any team, and Luus acknowledges this with respect and readiness. “It’s going to be interesting to see us playing in the subcontinent is always a very big challenge,” she says. The competitive nature of the World Cup amplifies this challenge, making it an exhilarating event. “It’s going to be a very good World Cup. And there’s no team that you can underestimate, especially at the subcontinent level,” she asserts.

The forthcoming matches promise to be tightly contested, with no clear favourites emerging. “So it’s going to be a very tight-knit World Cup,” Sune Luus concludes.

The WPL Dream

Luus expressed her desire to participate in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India, having enjoyed her previous experiences in the Women’s T20 Challenge.

“Obviously being part of two Women’s T20 Challenge editions. It was extremely fun. I learned a lot. Every time you come to India, it’s just such an experience and the people are just so friendly. Even, the standard of cricket was very good. I was obviously very sad to not be a part of the last two editions. But I’m working very hard to try and get myself in, you know, hopefully in the future to get that opportunity,” she said, hoping to earn a spot in future editions.

Leadership Lessons

Having played under various captains and leading the team herself, Luus appreciated the different leadership styles. “I’ve played under Mignon [Du Preez] as well for a very long time. Mignon was a captain at a time when we were professional. It was really hard for her to try and she set everything up that’s happening now, very well. So she fought a lot for that as well as the Dane [van Niekerk]”.

She praised Mignon du Preez and Dane van Niekerk for their pioneering efforts and expressed confidence in Laura Wolvaardt’s current leadership.

“Laura is stepping in at the right time where we professional, equal match fees, all those things are happening and she can just take the team forward which she has done very well. She’s really leading from the front. But all the captains we’ve had and that I’ve played under has really led from the front, which is a very important attribute for a captain,” Luus said, highlighting the collective efforts in moving South African women’s cricket forward.

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Pathway for Young Cricketers

Discussing the pathway for young girls in South Africa, Luus acknowledged the challenges due to the lack of women’s teams in schools. “It’s very difficult at the moment. We don’t have, women’s teams in schools, which is very important to have. I get so many queries from parents, how do they start? I actually don’t have the answer because I have no clue because where do you go if you don’t have a young girls’ team? But a lot of the girls play with the boys, they don’t really care.”

She stressed the importance of playing in boys’ teams and participating in provincial trials to progress through the ranks. “I guess to start at a young age, it doesn’t really make a difference whether you play with the boys or play with girls. The school level is all the same. Just playing in the boys team, and then we have provincial teams- Under 13, Under 16, Under 19. So you can go to your trials in your respective provinces and then work your way up from there. But it is really important for us to start looking at, you know, girls teams in schools,” she said, advocating for more opportunities for young aspiring cricketers.

Transition from Tennis to Cricket

Luus’ transition from competitive tennis to cricket was driven by her love for the game. “Getting to Wimbledon is a bit harder than playing competitive cricket,” she joked, emphasizing her passion for cricket despite initially planning to pursue a different career.

For Sune Luus, the choice between pursuing a career in cricket or tennis was a straightforward one. “It was a very easy choice. I’ve loved the game so much. Tennis was just something I did on the side. It was really fun,” she recalls.

While tennis was an enjoyable pastime, Luus never saw it as a viable career path. “I didn’t think necessarily I had a very good career in it. It’s very hard to make a career out of it in South Africa. So cricket made the most sense,” she explains.

However, cricket itself was not always seen as a professional avenue. When she started, the sport was still in its developmental stages for women in South Africa. “It wasn’t professional back then. So I didn’t really think I would do it as a job,” Sune Luus admits. Like many young athletes, she had other aspirations and was preparing for a different future. “At the moment, I was still stuck on studying something and I don’t know, becoming a teacher or something like that.”

The professionalization of women’s cricket in South Africa was a game-changer for Luus. “Very fortunate that it became professionalized and that, you know, Cricket South Africa has created this opportunity,” she says with gratitude. The shift allowed her to turn her passion into a career, something she hadn’t envisioned when she first started playing.

Evolving as an All-Rounder

Starting as a young leg spinner and batting lower in the order, Luus gradually worked her way up to become a key all-rounder. “From a very young age, I enjoyed batting. I just think, you know, walking into the side, there were a lot of, you know, big players. I just had to squeeze in wherever I could. I started number eight or number nine and then gradually worked my way up. So I think I’ve always enjoyed batting,” she said, grateful for the opportunities to showcase her skills.

Early Memories of Cricket

Luus’ first memories of cricket involved watching matches at SuperSport Park in Centurion. Growing up, she didn’t know women’s cricket existed until she played alongside legends like Mignon du Preez. “I didn’t know there was women’s cricket growing up. I only knew Minyon because she played in the same provincial team as me. But, you know, other than that, women’s cricket wasn’t on television in South Africa. So I didn’t know the likes of Charlotte Edwards, and so I got to play against her. So that’s very fortunate really.”

“I grew up on the grass embankments of SuperSport Park in Centurion. And whoever got to play there, I just watched them. And that was kind of how I fell in love with the game and never missed a match. So a role model should probably be, you know, SuperSport Park for introducing me to the game and bringing all the legends to South Africa and onto our backyard and just making us fall in love with the game,” Sune Luus recalled.

National Team Call-Up

Receiving her call-up to the national team while still in the U19 squad was a bittersweet moment for Luus. Excited yet sad to leave school, she embraced the opportunity wholeheartedly. “I think my first year was to Bangladesh. And I was in grade 10 and I was 16 years old. I remember being very excited, but also very sad to leave school because I really enjoyed school. So it was a bittersweet experience. When we flew to Bangladesh and we got to experience the crowds and everything, I knew this was something I was going to love. I never looked back from then,” she said.

Focus on Processes

Luus emphasized the importance of focusing on processes rather than results, a mindset she developed with the help of her new batting coach.

“I used to be a very result-driven person. But I know that I’m a bit old and understand again, but then he and I sat down a lot and we just spoke about the process a lot and what that entails and, you know, just kind of taking the emotion out of it and really just focus on the process. Whether the result is, you know, good or bad, just always coming back to the process and tweeting that and seeing where we went wrong and what we did good. So it’s more about the process for me at the moment and just trusting that,” she said, highlighting the value of a systematic approach.

Adapting to different formats, Sune Luus aimed to maintain a consistent mindset while acknowledging the unique demands of each.

“I’ve been trying to kind of play the same game throughout, you know, just with the same mindset. The different formats require different, you know, kinds of patience. Just doing what you’re doing for a lot longer and for a longer period. So I’m really excited for that. I’m not a very patient person. So it is going to be a very test of my character. But, you know, we’re going to see how it goes. And, you know, still playing positive cricket, I think you still want to take the game forward with whatever format it is. So definitely going to try and do that,” she said, excited about the challenge of Test cricket’s patience and endurance.

Future Goals and Aspirations

As a senior player, Sune Luus has set her sights on scoring more centuries and winning a World Cup. “I think there’s still so much I want to achieve. I’ve only scored only one hundred. I still believe there should be a few more. So, that’s still a very big goal for me. Obviously, winning a World Cup is number one. We still have a good five years left, hopefully. So in the next five years, there should be a few World Cups. So that’s a big goal. Also, the Olympics is in four years. That’s a very big goal to make the start for that,” she said, determined to achieve these milestones in the next five years.

Role of Visualisations, AI and Analytics

In an era where cricket has increasingly become a game of intricate strategies, advanced analytics, and detailed match-ups, Sune Luus stands out with her refreshing approach. Despite the growing reliance on data, artificial intelligence, and meticulous player analyses, Luus prefers to keep things simple. “It’s all about the matchups at the moment and really analyzing players and, you know, really kind of just getting them out before you even walk onto the park,” she acknowledges.

However, for Luus, the essence of cricket lies beyond the statistics and premeditated strategies. “Myself, I just like to go on and play the game. I don’t think too much about all the statistics and whatnot,” she shares candidly. While she appreciates the value of having people dedicated to providing game plans and insights, she finds that too much information can be overwhelming and detract from her natural game.

This approach highlights Luus’ belief in playing instinctively and enjoying the game in its purest form. “There’s obviously people for that who give you game plans and such. So I don’t personally go too much into depth with it,” she explains. For Luus, the key to her performance is maintaining a balance between being prepared and staying mentally unburdened. “I think it’s too much information from our brand or I just like to go out there and just play the game and enjoy it.”

Embracing Fitness

Fitness plays a crucial role in Sune Luus’ routine, especially given the demanding conditions in India. “I really enjoy the gym. Fitness is obviously needed because you’re an athlete and you’re a professional athlete. Going into batting sessions, bowling sessions, fielding sessions, just trying to cover everything every single day. So I’m hardly one to miss a practice session only when I’m prescribed to not go. Otherwise, I’ll be at every gym session and every practice session,” she said, emphasizing the need for physical and mental preparedness.

Legacy and Impact

When asked about her legacy, Luus focused on kindness and making a positive impact on others. “Obviously you can have a lot of performances. But I think at the end of the day, how you make people feel is what they remember about you. So I really always try and be kind to every single person and just dig into you,” she said, aspiring to be remembered as a kind and inspiring figure in the world of cricket.

“You can be the best cricket player in the world. But if you’re a sucky human, then that’s not really going to speak volumes. So just being kind and pretty much that’s all there is to it.”

Sune Luus’ journey is a story of resilience, passion, and unabashed dedication. From battling tough form to shining in the one-off Test, she embodies the spirit of a true champion. With a clear focus on processes, a commitment to fitness, and a desire to inspire the next generation, Luus continues to be a beacon of hope and excellence in South African cricket.

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