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Daily Maverick
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Breakthrough moments: Annerie Dercksen shines in Proteas women's tri-series amidst growing pains
They had a disappointing month in Sri Lanka, but coach Mandla Mashimbyi and the team remain focused on the World Cup. The Proteas Women's recent 50-over tri-series struggle against Sri Lanka and India is the short-term pain, which they hope to match with long-term gains. South Africa lost three of the four matches they played in Sri Lanka – two to India and one to Sri Lanka – in the process failing to make the final, which India won by 97 runs. It was a poor return for a team from which so much is expected given their recent performances at World Cups, albeit in the shortest format. The Proteas reached the final of the previous two T20 World Cups, falling at the final hurdle on both occasions. That's why new head coach Mandla Mashimbyi was brought in to lead the team. His mandate was clear when handed the role at the back end of 2024: win an international trophy. The opportunity to tick that goal off begins in September, when the 50-over World Cup gets under way in India, barely 10 months after his appointment, but it's a challenge he accepted when he took the position. South Africa's disappointing tri-series was Mashimbyi's first full-length series he has been with the team, having taken over the reins halfway through the Proteas' all-format home series against England last year. This was, thus, his first opportunity to put his personal stamp on the squad and has given an indication of the direction of the national side. Mashimbyi added three fresh faces to the tri-series squad in Sri Lanka: Miané Smit (20), Seshnie Naidu (19) and Karabo Meso (17). The squad was also without regulars Marizanne Kapp, who was being rested, and Anneke Bosch, through injury, which opened the door for Lara Goodall to be included in the side belatedly. Young trio For Mashimbyi it wasn't just about having the trio of aforementioned youngsters in and around the squad, but an opportunity to see if they would sink or swim. Smit had been included in national squads before without making her debut, but finally got her first cap in Sri Lanka. Wicketkeeper Meso also received her first one-day international cap despite Sinalo Jafta being the national keeper without any challenge to her position since the retirement of Trisha Chetty in 2022, and Naidu's national team debut came at the expense of Nonkululeko Mlaba, the team's premier spin bowler for the better part of the past four years. Mashimbyi is evidently not afraid of making big calls. They have not all worked immediately, however. Meso played in the opening two matches – which South Africa lost by 15 runs and five wickets respectively – and came in to bat at number four. Although her glovework was tidy, she struggled to rotate the strike with the willow. She found herself eating up dot deliveries, which built pressure on herself and the team. She scored seven runs off 17 deliveries against India and nine off 27 balls in the second match against Sri Lanka. Meso was replaced by Jafta in the final two matches after suffering a 'heat-related illness' while behind the stumps in the second match. Naidu, meanwhile, struggled with control, although she did take a wicket on debut against Sri Lanka in South Africa's dead-rubber, 76-run win, but she conceded 40 runs in five overs. At 19, there is still a lot to learn in the art of leg spin bowling for Naidu, but the framework for the talented bowler is there. Smit fared slightly better, scoring 39 runs off 54 balls the first time she has batted in national colours, as well as bowling tidily with her off-spin in her second match, picking up a wicket and only conceding 35 runs in eight overs. Although the results were not ideal, there was a lot to learn about the players for Mashimbyi. Outstanding Dercksen All-rounder Annerie Dercksen (24) had a coming-of-age series with the bat in Sri Lanka. Across the four matches, Dercksen scored 276 runs at an average of 92, with scores of 30, 61 (not out), 81 and 104. With the exception of her second half-century, against India, all her other knocks came while batting at number seven, which made her scores even more impressive. Her highest score before the tour to the subcontinent was 29 and her career batting average was 17.5. It's now teetering towards 50. 'Definitely a breakthrough series for her with the bat,' captain Laura Wolvaardt said about the young all-rounder. 'She was absolutely phenomenal. I joked that every game she was getting 20 runs more than the previous one.' Dercksen's debut century came off only 81 deliveries, at a time when the side were on five for 85 in the 20th over. She helped take the team to 315 and secure their only win of the series. 'To get 100 off 80 [81] balls in conditions that are foreign to us was absolutely amazing,' Wolvaardt added. The decision to continue batting her at number seven despite her being the most comfortable with the willow in subcontinent conditions was due to Mashimbyi's long-term thinking. 'Coach Mandla has a vision in his head of how that World Cup squad is going to look,' Wolvaardt said. 'He has a vision of how he wants that World Cup to go and wants people to bat in roles they probably will in that tournament. 'Dercky has put her hand up massively for a promotion so we'll see what he says.' The Proteas Women will play a T20 and 50-over series against West Indies in June as they continue their preparation for the quadrennial showpiece. Mashimbyi only has a few more matches left to find the ideal balance and personnel that he believes will ensure South Africa's first senior International Cricket Council trophy and complete his mandate as coach in the process. DM This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.
The Citizen
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Young trio to ignite Proteas Women
The Proteas Women are set to usher in a new era of youthful energy with the inclusion of three debutants in the squad for the upcoming ODI Tri-Series. Rising stars Karabo Meso, Miané Smit and Seshnie Naidu are poised to make their 50-over international debuts when South Africa take on hosts Sri Lanka and India from April 27 to May 11. The trio join an experienced Proteas squad with the backing of team captain Laura Wolvaardt. 'Karabo, Seshnie and Miané have been very exciting additions to the squad. They're very chatty, eager to learn, and it's been exciting to see how quickly they've adapted,' said Wolvaardt. 'I think it gives a bit of healthy competition in the squad as well, to see some youngsters who have been performing get opportunities. It pushes everyone to work a bit harder and do a bit better. 'Really happy for them as well. Just the work that they've put in at provincial cricket and in school cricket, as well, to get this opportunity is very deserving.' Versatile Free State Knights all-rounder Smit is known for her right-hand batting and off-spin. 'It's such a privilege and honour, and I just enjoy being in this space so much,' said the 20-year-old. 'It's so competitive and I'm learning so much and starting to turn the nerves into excitement. I want to bring some energy and fun to the team, and if I get a chance to bat, I'm aiming to score a hundred.' She also acknowledged the influence of senior teammates like Chloé Tryon, Suné Luus and Wolvaardt, who have guided her during the team's pre-series camp in Pretoria. After a successful youth international campaign with the SA U19 Women and an impressive showing at domestic and school levels this season, Meso returns to the national fold with a renewed outlook. 'I'm just being positive and playing a brand of cricket that I know. I think people say there are expectations, but I won't put that in my head,' the wicketkeeper-batter shared. Reflecting on her path through the SA U19 setup and the Pro Series with the Central Gauteng Lions, Meso said those experiences have prepared her for this next step. 'Reaching the U19 final made me realise there's still a lot of cricket that's going to be played. And also, there are winning moments and losing moments. I think that made me play the cricket that I'm playing now and enjoying every moment of school cricket and domestic cricket.' Completing the youthful trio is KZN Dolphins leg-spinner Naidu, who is looking to convert hard work into a meaningful contribution at international level. 'This period has been about learning, not just about skill, but about working together as a team. Stepping onto the field wearing the badge is something I truly cherish. I would really enjoy playing alongside the best in the country and representing my country.' Naidu, who has been part of national setups before, including the Proteas Women squad at the 2024 Women's T20 World Cup in the UAE, said building relationships with senior players has made the transition easier. 'It's been great chatting with the ladies, learning from everyone and getting to know them and cracking a few jokes now and again – I've been enjoying it.' With the ODI Tri-Series approaching, Wolvaardt emphasised the importance of support and preparation for the debutants. 'International cricket takes another step up from domestic cricket, so maybe talking them through those things, talking through the plans that I may have as a captain if they're bowling, and making sure we're on the same page with that. Just making them feel as comfortable and as calm as they can be just before the actual game starts.' Proteas Women ODI squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c, Titans), Anneke Bosch (Titans), Tazmin Brits (Lions), Nadine de Klerk (WP), Annerie Dercksen (Badgers), Sinalo Jafta (Lions), Ayabonga Khaka (Lions), Masabata Klaas (Titans), Suné Luus (Titans), *Karabo Meso (Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Dolphins), Seshnie Naidu (Dolphins), Nondumiso Shangase (Dolphins), Miané Smit (Knights), Chloé Tryon (Lions). Women's ODI Tri-Series fixtures (all 06:30 SA time): Sunday, April 27: Sri Lanka vs India Tuesday, April 29: India vs South Africa Friday, May 2: Sri Lanka vs South Africa Sunday, May 4: Sri Lanka vs India Wednesday, May 7: South Africa vs India Friday, May 9: Sri Lanka vs South Africa Sunday, May 11: Final The post Young trio to ignite Proteas Women appeared first on SA Cricketmag.
