The Proteas need to have faith against England, because I don’t
The Proteas face a daunting challenge against England in the Women’s Cricket World Cup, needing to overcome their recent batting struggles and adapt their strategy to progress in the tournament. Picture: AFP
Image: AFP
You can try and find reasons to be optimistic about South Africa’s chances against England in their Women’s Cricket World Cup semi-final in Guwahati on Wednesday, but I’d rather not get my hopes up.
I have 69 reasons for this. Yes, that was the score South Africa made against England the last time the sides met in their opening game of the tournament 26 days ago.
Now, South Africa will face England again at the same venue with pitch conditions said to be similar.
The Proteas women also come into the match off another terrible batting display against Australia in their final group match.
Proteas Batting Fragility Exposed: Need Strategy Shift Against England
They were bowled out for 97 just four days ago by the Aussies. That shows serious batting fragility when they are sent out to set a score against the big teams.
Of course, the counterargument is that the Proteas have been very good with the bat in their other games at the World Cup, most notably the 312 they posted in 40 overs against Pakistan.
But it’s against the best teams like England and Australia where it matters most, and on both occasions this Proteas team has been outclassed.
In fact, I firmly believe it will be an England-Australia final with the ladies in yellow being the favourites to win the World Cup.
All that means is that the Proteas will have to show something different against England on Wednesday if they are to progress. One will be their batters knowing whether to play back or forward to the England spinners, which they clearly did not know in their tournament opener.
Another will be skipper Laura Wolvaardt winning a toss and bowling first. One can’t blame Wolvaardt though if she loses another toss, and that’s why I leave it up to the faith of the Proteas supporters to get their side over the line.
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