South Africa’s women’s cricket team are looking to right the wrongs of their recent New Zealand tour as they prepare to face India. The five-match T20I series starts in Durban on Friday. South Africa lost six of the eight white-ball games they played in New Zealand. To succeed against India, they must address these issues.
Areas for Improvement After New Zealand Tour
Laura Wolvaardt said they have been trying to fix things and have identified where they went wrong. She said their execution with the ball was lacking. The plans were in place, but they did not bowl to their field placings or in line with what they were trying to do.
Wolvaardt added that the team has been focusing on being precise in their approach. This includes landing the ball in the desired areas for longer periods. She also noted the need for more proactive batting, better strike rotation, and a wider range of shots. The team has been focusing on refining their shot selection and addressing positioning issues.
There was significant room for improvement after the New Zealand tour. New Zealanders accounted for nine of the top 10 scores across both formats. Seven of the eight bowlers South Africa used in the T20Is conceded more than eight runs an over. Only one of the seven New Zealand bowlers conceded as many.
Concentration and Awareness Key
Wolvaardt’s comments align with Mandla Mashimbyi’s assessment after the New Zealand tour. Mashimbyi said that the team realised where they went wrong and that it wasn’t due to unfamiliar issues. He identified gaps in concentration or awareness as costly factors throughout the series. He stressed the need to address these issues to ensure they leave no stone unturned against India.
India’s Strengths
The Indians won’t fall easily. India are ranked third and South Africa fifth. Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma and Jemima Rodrigues are all in the top 10 batting rankings. Wolvaardt is the only South African firmly on the list, although Tazmin Brits shares 10th place with Rodrigues.
- Smriti Mandhana is a top 10 batter.
- Shafali Verma is a top 10 batter.
- Jemima Rodrigues is a top 10 batter.
Deepti Sharma, Renuka Singh and Arundhati Reddy are all among the top 10 bowlers. The closest South African is Nonkululeko Mlaba, who is 11th.
South Africa will have to topple opponents they have only beaten six times in the 19 T20Is they have contested to accomplish their goals. The five-match series starts in Durban on Friday.