Proteas women excited for T20 series after ODI triumph

The Proteas women are excited to get their five-match T20I series against New Zealand under way after they clinched a 2-1 ODI series win against the visitors.

However, it was New Zealand that finished on a high as they picked up a comfortable six-wicket win in the third and final ODI on Sunday after the Proteas had won the opening two games.

Captain Laura Wolvaardt admitted that the team would now use the T20I series as preparation for next year’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh.

“It is very exciting. It’s a long T20 series of five games to try things out. So I think it’s really good prep for the (T20) World Cup in September. So we are really excited to get going,” said Wolvaardt after the match.

Speaking about the game itself Wolvaardt, who was named player of the series after a superb showing with the bat that included a century and a half-century, admitted that her side was completely outplayed in the third ODI.

“It was obviously good to get the series win, but not the way we would have liked to end (the series). New Zealand were pretty good all-round and a lot better than us in all three aspects today,” said Wolvaardt.

“We had a tough start with the bat. The wicket was doing quite a bit early on and it was difficult to score and stay in. I think we also didn’t have our best start with the ball but our spinners did really well to bring us back and make it closer at the end.

“We also had a few missed chances in the field that could have made it a different game, but Amelia Kerr batted really well.”

EXCITED FOR T20 SERIES

Kerr was the star for New Zealand, scoring an unbeaten century while picking up two wickets, but she was backed up well by her captain Sophie Devine who claimed three wickets and scored 30.

Both Kerr and Devine were also excited for the T20 series.

“I am really proud of the girls and to finish the series as we have is very pleasing. But we are really excited. T20s is a real strength of ours so we are looking forward to freeing the shoulders a little bit and hopefully playing some exciting cricket,” said Devine.

“We have been playing a lot of T20 cricket, so it is exciting to hit five T20s. But South Africa is a quality side and we are looking forward to taking them on and hopefully being successful,” admitted Kerr.