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Jehran Naidoo
South Africa’s Under-19 women’s team capped off a warm-up T20 series against the United States this week with a 2-1 victory.
The series took place in Cape Town ahead of the T20 World Cup in Malaysia, which starts on January 18.
The junior Protea ladies lost the final match by nine wickets, after scoring 155/5 in 20 overs. Diedré van Rensburg and Karabo Meso made the bulk of the contributions with 39 and 37 runs respectively.
Diara Ramluckan also added to the tally with her 25, while Fay Cowling and Jae-Leigh Filander made 23 and 20 not out respectively.
Captain Kayla Reyneke said the series was important practice before the global stage, and that it added to the team’s camaraderie and spirit.
“We have a number of elements we need to work on going into the World Cup. There are still improvements to be made, and we will take the wins and build on them.
“The team has been with each other for a few months, playing together and spending so much time as a team. We celebrate together, and we get along nicely both on and off the field. We are a solid unit.”
The Under-19 women won the second T20 after restricting the Americans to 114/8 in their 20 overs. Jemma Botha and Simoné Lourens put up a 40-run partnership for the opening wicket.
This came after a successful defence of their 131/7 total in the first game at Bridge House High School in Franschhoek.
Top performers in the series:
Jemma Botha was the star batter, with a highest score of 54 not out and a strike rate of 138.
Simonè Lourens made 60 runs in her two innings, with a strike rate of 101.
Diara Ramlakan was also handy with the bat, posting 26 and 25 in games two and three. Ramlakan held a strike rate of 121 over the three-match series.
Captain Kayla Reyneke shone bright with the ball in her hand, claiming six wickets, with a best of 3/10.
Mona-Lisa Legodi and Fay Cowling both took two wickets apiece.
Heading into the World Cup
Head coach Dinesha Devnarain said the team is well balanced and prepared for the T20 World Cup.
“We have been using these warm-up games to find our stride and balance, and also just to brush up on the batting and bowling,” she said.
“In terms of strategies, yes, we will definitely go in there (World Cup) with a plan, so I can’t give too much away. But I can say we are going to be ourselves, play expressive and attacking cricket, and give it our all," Devnarain said.
The Under-19 side will depart South Africa for Malaysia on Friday. Their first group match will be against New Zealand at the Borneo Cricket Ground on January 18.
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