ALTHOUGH the country’s women’s cricket team increased their chances of advancing to the knockout stages of the T20 World Cup by defeating India, they still need humility and determination in the remaining two group matches.
This was said by the veteran Proteas, Marizanne Kapp, who was chosen as the best player when the local team defeated India by six wickets at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, on Sunday.
In this match, India batted first and got 158 runs, seven players have been out. Kapp took two wickets with Shabnim Ismail, while Nonkululeko Mlaba, Ayabonga Khaka and Nadine de Klerk took one wicket each.
The Proteas won by scoring 161 runs for the loss of four wickets. That’s when Kapp stood out, scoring 81 runs in 45 balls.
This player, who entered the game without good health, said it means a lot that he was able to help the team win this important game.
“I wasn’t feeling well when we were training before the start of the game. When I went back to the locker room I cried, but I’m thankful that the team doctor was able to help me,” said Kapp.
“I believe this is the best T20 match I have ever played, especially as we were facing a strong Indian team. We know how difficult it is to play against them.”
“Even though we ended up beating them in the match we played this year at home, we didn’t come to this game thinking that means we will win the game. This game could have been won by any team.”
Australia is still top of Group A with six points from three games, followed by India, South Africa and Bangladesh with four points each. Pakistan and Netherlands are at the bottom as they have not got a point.
Only two teams from this group will advance to the semi-finals, which will make the rivalry even more intense in the remaining games.
The Proteas were defeated by Australia in the opener, but rose up against Pakistan in the second, as they had knocked India to their knees.
They will face the Netherlands on Thursday at 7.30pm, before wrapping up the group with Bangladesh on Sunday. They need to win both games.
“We usually start with a low gear in the World Cup. We know that we haven’t played high-quality cricket. There are players we still look up to, including the captain (Laura Wolvaardt). We know that there are still things that they will do for the team,” continued Kapp.
We will continue to work hard because we still have tough games to play against the Netherlands and Bangladesh. We must come to it with the intention of removing the foot. We needed this game we played against India, and we won it, but we have to look forward because the teams we will play with are dangerous in their own way.”