Sune Luus: Proteas Women mentally prepared for England in World Cup semi-final showdown

The Proteas’ ICC Women's World Cup adventure has been a rollercoaster ride. From the highs of chasing down targets in thrilling fashion against India and Bangladesh, to the batting collapses against England and Australia.

It has meant they have needed to show immense mental strength to get back on the horse to keep their campaign alive – an attribute all-rounder Sune Luus feels the team will need in abundance again when they face familiar foes England in Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final in Guwahati.

“I think you play seven round robin games, you're never going to have a perfect tournament. There's always going to be a few games here or there, or a few moments here or there where it doesn't go your way,” Luus said.

“World Cups are 100% about the bounce back ability and how quickly you can put a set back behind you. We don't need extra motivation to go into the semi-finals. I think South Africans are very resilient in our own way.

“It's obviously been a very long tour, we've been away from home for so long, so obviously working very hard on our mental space.”

Luus was, of course, at the helm of the Proteas in the corresponding semi-final four years ago in Christchurch when Heather Knight’s side emerged victorious. But she also led the Proteas to a first-ever T20 World Cup final after a momentous victory over England at Newlands in Cape Town.

The 29-year-old, though, believes neither of these results or the blowout against England in the tournament opener will be an influential factor on Wednesday.

“I think those semi-finals happened a very long time ago," she said.

"It's just another semi-final for us. No matter who we're playing, I think we're just focused on getting through the semi-final, playing good cricket, hopefully our best game yet, so that we can get momentum into that final."

“Obviously, not a lot to talk about that first game going into the semis. It was a very short game but this is a semi-final, it's completely different to the start of the tournament. It feels like months ago that game.

"So, we are really focusing on the semi-finals coming up. We've obviously kept a close eye on England throughout the tournament and how they go about their business. They've kind of kept the same line up for the whole tour so I don't think there should be any surprises.

“I think it's one step at a time, one game at a time.

"No matter who we're playing, I think we just want to hit our straps and play very good cricket. And whoever the opposition is, we take it as it comes,” Luus concluded.