‘Inspired’ Proteas Women look to follow the lead of World Test champions in West Indies decider

Proteas Women all-rounder Nondumiso Shangase said the team were inspired by the men’s victory in the World Test Championship final, and looked to follow suit in their ODI series decider against the West Indies on Tuesday.

With the trophyless curse now behind South African cricket, the women’s team will look to stamp their authority on the game as well, by defeating West Indies in the final ODI on Tuesday afternoon.

So far, the series is tied 1-1, with the Proteas Women coming off a 40-run victory on Saturday. 

According to one of Saturday’s stand-out-performers, Shangase, the team did not celebrate the win much because their sights were set on Tuesday’s showdown at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados.

“We need to celebrate that victory. It was a good one, but then at the same time, we know what’s at stake here and we’re ready for Tuesday,” Shangase said. 

The 29-year-old knocked a long overdue half-century, carding 55 off 48 balls with four fours and two sixes.

Sunè Luus was the pick of the batting line-up, hitting 77 off 65 balls, with eight fours to her name. 

There were also more consistent scores throughout the middle and lower order in the second ODI than there was in the first, indicating a more healthy run-rate throughout their innings. 

The Proteas Women have shown their class with the bat, and the players agree on that as well.

It’s the bowling that needs some work if they want to defeat the Windies middle-order and stamp their authority on the series.

The team are finding it difficult to take wickets in the middle of the innings. The start and tail-end is where they are most successful with the ball.

But something’s got to give if they want to put their foot on the West Indians’ throat, because in reality, utter dominance is what separates the good teams from the great ones. And only the great teams win trophies.

 The performances with bat and ball during the final two games of the tri-series against India and Sri-Lanka last month showed that the Proteas have the ability to muster up the grit and fight.

Besides Nonkululeko Mlaba’s spell of 4/33 in 10 overs and Marizanne Kapp’s 2/42 in six overs, the ladies struggled during the middle of the innings to put pressure on the West Indian batting order. 

Shangase believes they have what it takes to go all the way and claim the series 2-1 in the West Indies’ backyard.

She said the team have taken inspiration from the Proteas Men’s victory over Australia in the World Test Championship final at Lord’s last Saturday. 

“We even missed breakfast that day because of that match, because we were like ‘No, we can’t just go’.

“We watched every run. We were inspired,” the 29-year-old said.