Proteas Women seamer, Tumi Sekhukhune, has underscored the team’s motivation to build momentum and secure a convincing series victory against the challenges posed by subcontinental teams in spin-friendly conditions ahead of the T20 International (T20I) finale versus Sri Lanka in East London.
Sekhukhune addressed the media during a pre-match press conference, highlighting the team’s ambitions in T20 cricket, particularly with the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup edging closer and the conditions expected in the host country Bangladesh.
“We need to get that momentum going. We need to be able to clean the series and get 3-0. With subcontinental teams now, we know that they’re going to come with spin. It’s time that we get in conditions such as in Durban, in Potch (Potchefstroom) and here in East London to be able to play them very well. If we can get that right we’ll get that consistency in the cleaning series,” she said.
In the second T20I in Potchefstroom, the Proteas Women began their innings with the bat on the front foot as Anneke Bosch’s 32-ball 50 helped the home side to 84/2 after 10 overs before Sri Lanka fought back to restrict South Africa to 137/8 to set up the memorable win.
While praising the team’s strong starts in the powerplay, the 25-year-old stressed the need for the middle-order batters to consolidate and build on the foundation laid by the top order.
“We’ve always wanted to get the score to 180+. That’s what we’ve been working on, getting a few partnerships up front and we’ve learned that in the powerplay. The women’s game is growing now towards the right direction where anyone, even the subcontinental teams, can score 150+.
So it’s very crucial for us to get the batting in order and to get 180 plus consistently and we could also take that momentum to the World Cup,” she added. Written by Ntsako Mkhari
Written by: Lindiwe Mabena
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
7:00 pm - 10:00 pm
10:00 pm - 12:00 am