BLACK DAY: Proteas women look to shine against England
It's the return of Black Day, and the Proteas women will be aiming to shine when they take on England in the second ODI at Hollywoodbets Kingsmead in Durban on Sunday, looking to clinch the three-match series with a game to play.
After being thumped three-nil in the T20I series by their English rivals, the Proteas enjoyed the perfect start to the ODI series by picking up an extremely comfortable six wicket win in the opening ODI in Kimberley on Wednesday.
That has set the hosts up to possibly secure a series win in style on what has become an incredibly important day on the South African cricket calendar, since the launch of the Black Day in 2020.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) launched their Black Day campaign to raise awareness of gender-based violence (GBV) and to support women, with the campaign's proceeds set to go to a safe house for women in need.
This year the day is fittingly being held during the annual global 16 Days of Activism against GBV, which started on Monday November 25 and will end on Tuesday December 10.
KAPP KLAP
When CSA launched the Black Day in 2020, the first match was supposed to be between the Proteas women and Australia in April that year, only for Covid to hit which saw the launch delayed.
The first Black Day ODI then took place on 23rd January 2021 against Pakistan in at Kingsmead in Durban, which has become the home of the game.
In that match the Proteas claimed a 13-run win, thanks to player of the match Marizanne Kapp who hit and unbeaten 68 and picked up 3/44 with the ball, which put them 2-0 up on their way to a 3-0 series win over the visitors.
The second Black Day ODI took place on the 6th of February 2022, but had to be held at the Wanderers in Johannesburg due to a Covid bubble for their series against the West Indies.
In the match the Proteas cruised to a six wicket win that sealed a 2-1 series win over the visitors and kept their unbeaten Black Day streak alive.
BLACK DAY, WHITE FERNS
The third Black Day ODI was battled out back at its home of Kingsmead on the 1st of October last year, but unfortunately saw the Proteas suffer their first defeat on the special day.
New Zealand picked a six wicket win over the hosts, in what proved to be a consolation win in the series, as the Proteas still walked away with a 2-1 series win.
> > > FIXTURES v England Women < < <
The Proteas will now hope to get back to winning ways in their fourth Black Day match, against England on Sunday, and secure what would be a big series win over the second ranked team on the women’s ODI rankings.
I WILL NOT BE NEXT
This year the Black Day will carry a powerful theme of: "I Will Not Be Next," which echos the team's unwavering commitment to ending GBV.
The team will run onto the park at Kingsmead in their all black kit, that draws parallels with the annual Pink Day ODI that the Proteas men feature in every year.
All the Proteas women players have made personal pledges to mark the day, with bowler Masabata Klaas explaining her pledge and how important the day is to herself as well as the players and women in general around the world.
“I will use my platform to be a strong and loud voice in partnership with women who work to end all forms of gender-based violence,” said Klaas.
“As cricketers, we are given a platform that many people don’t have. I believe it is my responsibility to use that platform not only for the game I love but also to stand for the things I believe in.
“Playing in the Black Day ODI is an honour. It’s a reminder that we are not just playing for runs and wickets, we are playing for every woman and child who deserves to live a life with no violence. That is what motivates us to give everything we have on the field.”
A CORNERSTONE
CSA CEO Pholetsi Moseki also weighed in on the importance of the event, saying: “Black Day has become one of our cornerstones of our commitment to tackling societal issues. It showcases the incredible power of sport to bring people together to highlight a plight that is affecting a lot of South Africans.”
In all it is set to be an incredibly important day for the number of reasons, with the headlining one being the fight against GBV.
On a professional front the Proteas women will be gunning for a second straight win to help them recover after they were completely outplayed in the T20I series.
They would also be eager to seal the ODI series ahead of the final game at the JB Marks Oval in Potchefstroom next Wednesday, and take some good momentum into the one-off test against England getting under way at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein next Sunday.
Durban, it’s time to show up! 🖤 🏏🇿🇦
— Proteas Women (@ProteasWomenCSA) December 5, 2024
Nonkululeko Mlaba is calling on you to pack Hollywoodbets Kingsmead this Sunday for the #EndGBV Black Day game, as the Proteas Women take on England in the second ODI of the series.
Let’s stand together, make some noise, and support a… pic.twitter.com/WEOJADeaVH
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How to watch
Catch the match from 9:55am on Sunday on Variety 4.
Highlights will be available on Catch Up and SuperSport.com.
Commentary will be in English, plus isiXhosa and Afrikaans.
ALL HIGHLIGHTS AFTER THE GAME
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