Following a tough opening defeat to Australia, the Proteas Women — led by Laura Wolvaardt – face a defining Group 1 showdown against Pakistan at Edgbaston this Wednesday. Photo: IANS
The Proteas Women have a crucial Group 1 clash against Pakistan at Edgbaston on Wednesday (7.30pm start), following a sobering 65-run defeat to Australia in their opening match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup.
A consecutive defeat after that disastrous start this past weekend, could potentially spell the end of the Proteas' Cup hopes after just two matches. To get their campaign back on track, Independent Media’s Zaahier Adams selects five specific areas they need to fix:
Australia's quarter of spinners — led by Georgia Wareham's 3/13 — completely strangled the Proteas' chase, and Pakistan is expected to bring a very similar, spin-heavy attack. The Proteas must improve their strike rotation against the slower bowlers to prevent dot-ball pressure from baiting them into rash shots.
In the opener, Wolvaardt bizarrely faced only three deliveries in the first three overs while the batters around her struggled. As the captain and anchor (she top-scored with 44 off 39), the gameplan has to involve feeding her the strike. Australia actively tried to starve her of the ball; the non-striker must manufacture singles to ensure Wolvaardt dictates the tempo.
