Bright sparks as Proteas Women fine-tune WC preps

The squad in camp consisted mostly of the players who toured India last month, except for captain Laura Wolvaardt and experienced all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Chloe Tryon, who are all currently participating in The Hundred tournament in England.

Another experienced all-rounder in Nadine de Klerk missed the week-long camp as she continues rehabilitation having suffered an Achilles tendon injury towards the end of the women’s tour to India last month.

Annerie Dercksen, a budding all-rounder, was in camp and shared insight on what happened.

“With the bowling, we’ve had some quality time. Two bowlers had a coach at a time, (we had) time to work on specifics for each bowler and to fine-tune our techniques,” the 23-year-old said.

“From the batting, we've had coach Neil (Levenson) from North West in to help us with (handling) swing and some new things against spin, so that's been cool.

“With Bakes (Women’s batting coach Baakier Abrahams), he’s always up there. We’ve been working hard and it’s been a very productive couple of days,” she added.

Having reached the final in the last edition of the tournament at home last year, the preparation of the team is different this time around in that they aim to go a step further in Bangladesh this year and try to win the tournament for the first time.

However, before all that can happen, interim head coach Dillon du Preez and the selectors still need to select a squad for the Bangladesh-based World Cup.

An excited Dercksen hopes to make the squad, even if it means she will not play.

“It’s really exciting times. The team made the final last year at home and I think all of our preparation has been geared up to taking it one step further this time,” she said.

“It would be nice to get picked in the squad to go to the World Cup, but for the moment it’s just to fine-tune everything that we’ve been working on, do the best that I can do, then whatever happens, happens.

“It’s really nice being in the environment and being around the team. As long as the team wins, I’m happy to be there, be around and support with whatever is needed.

“It would be an amazing opportunity if I do get to play or make the squad, then hopefully I can contribute in whatever way is needed,” Dercksen concluded.

The Proteas are due to play the opening match of the World Cup against England in Mirpur on Thursday, October 3.