Sune Luus on unlikely star who inspired her spin bowling
Luus and the rest of the Proteas women's squad are already busy with a training camp at the Cricket SA Centre of Excellence in Pretoria ahead of the busy season culminating in the 50-over Cricket World Cup in India starting in September.
Before that, though, the men's side will play in the World Test Championship final at Lord's in June.
Luus explained that it would be a huge boost for the sport in SA if the Proteas were to come away victorious.
'Yeah, I think South African cricket is on the up at the moment, reaching semifinals and finals as we go on. That's very good. I think getting that, I think already, you know, for them playing in the final is a great step for cricket in SA,' Luus told SportsBoom.com.
'And also, with the young squad that Shukri [Conrad] has, it's phenomenal. So, I think if they were to lift that trophy, it would just lift the spirits even more. You know, the confidence in Cricket SA at the moment, on the field, people in the office, all the people around or behind the scenes and stuff. I think there's a lot of confidence, and we just are all enjoying Cricket at the moment.'
'So, winning that, you know, that Championship, I think we'll just lift the spirits even more and just boost their confidence.'
As a stalwart of the Proteas women's side, Luus, who made her debut back in 2012, would dearly love they play more Tests. It's a sad indictment of world cricket that there is hardly any Test cricket for women. This is best illustrated by the fact that Luus only played her first Test match in 2022 and has only played four in total.
Luus explained why she thought there was so little opportunity to play the longest format of the game for women.
'It's difficult with the timing throughout the year and where to fit it in and schedule. But we love playing Test cricket. It's a pity we don't get a lot of it. And there's no Test cricket this year, which is a shame.'
'Next year, there are about three or four Test matches. So, we're looking forward to that. I think you learn so much about yourself and about your cricket when playing a Test match. You have to be disciplined for longer, something we didn't grow up doing. You just play short, you know, 30 overs, 20 overs stuff.' — SportsBoom
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
43 minutes ago
- TimesLIVE
SA expected to have majority of support in WTC final, but Smith not fussed
The last time the Australians played at Lord's a room full of ginned up old fogeys — aka, members of the MCC — forgot they were upstanding gentlemen attached to one of England's most exclusive clubs and turned into yobs. Screaming 'cheat, cheat, cheat' was the least of what was directed at Australia's players after their wicketkeeper Alex Carey had quite correctly — and abiding with the rules — run out Jonny Bairstow, who'd wandered out of his crease. This historic venue turned into a zoo that Sunday, hoards of frothing 'gentlemen' in suits and ties revealed their true colours. Naturally some racist stuff was directed at Usman Khawaja and later two MCC members were suspended and one expelled. Asked what his side could expect from the members for the World Test Championship final, Steve Smith, said: 'I'm not sure, I'm actually not fussed either way.'
The South African
an hour ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates join the chase for Nigerian goal machine
Orlando Pirates have entered the race to sign Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro, joining a growing list of top clubs eager to secure his signature ahead of the new season. With Kaizer Chiefs, AmaZulu FC, and Sekhukhune United all circling, the Buccaneers now look set to shake up the transfer market with their interest in the Mamelodi Sundowns forward. Ighodaro, who impressed during his loan spell at AmaZulu FC last season, has become one of the most sought-after talents in South African football. The powerful frontman featured in nearly every PSL fixture for Usuthu, turning heads with his consistent performances and goal-scoring threat. 'There are local teams apart from Kaizer Chiefs who are also interested in him. I can tell you that AmaZulu FC have already contacted Sundowns and the player's representatives as they want to keep him (after the loan). And there is Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United. It's believed that they have both been in touch concerning Ighodaro. It's a matter of who comes up with the best offer,' a source close to the situation confirmed. While the Soweto giants are keen to bolster their attacking options. They face fierce competition not just from domestic rivals but from international clubs too. Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca and Russian Premier League side FC Baltika have also expressed concrete interest in landing the striker. 'The thing is that there is interest in Russia and Morocco and it is becoming difficult to keep him locally. But it's believed that Sekhukhune United are preparing to sign him as a replacement for Andy Boyeli. Who is wanted by Pyramids FC in Egypt. So as I have said, let's wait and see as there are many other factors around his move from Sundowns. But interest in him keeps on growing,' the source added. With the transfer window heating up, Orlando Pirates must act swiftly and decisively if they want to beat Chiefs, AmaZulu, and Sekhukhune to the punch. Which team better suits Ighodaro, Orlando Pirates or Chiefs? Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Former Kaizer Chiefs captain backs Yusuf Maart
Former Kaizer Chiefs captain Tefu Mashamaite has backed Amakhosi's current skipper Yusuf Maart to shine. The 30-year-old midfielder has faced criticism over his leadership over the years however his winning goal against Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup has silenced many. 'That's the nature of the game; you are a hero one minute and then a zero the next minute,' Mashamaite told iDiski Times . 'So you have to know what you are signing yourself up for when you put on your boots. I'm just happy for him to be able to score the winning goal as a captain; that's the stuff of leadership. 'You know the stakes are high, and you raise your hand and say, 'I deserve this armband. I'm showing you guys why the team has believed in him and has chosen me as a leader',' he added. Maart became the first Kaizer Chiefs captain in a decade to lift a cup. Before that, it was Mashamaite, who guided Amakhosi to a double during the 2014/15 season. 'I'm happy for the young man. He deserves all the happiness with all the blame and everything; he's just been grinding and being present. So it should be a moment of redemption for him, finally, and also to put his prints on the history of Kaizer Chiefs,' said Mashamaite. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
