Proteas all-rounder Marizanne Kapp batting against India in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Marizanne Kapp had walked to the crease 30 previous times at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, since the first time against Australia in Taunton back in 2009.
That was 17-years ago, leading up to the most poignant moment of her batting career against India at Old Trafford on Sunday. The Proteas were 25/2 with two balls remaining in the Powerplay, and the double T20 World Cup runners-up had just seen their chase rocked with the dismissal of captain Laura Wolvaardt and the team’s highest run-scorer of the previous match, Annerie Dercksen.
At that stage, India’s 158/7 looked terribly far away, leaving the Proteas’ hopes at this T20 World Cup hanging by a thread. Lose here, and their campaign was destined for failure. But these are the moments that Kapp lives for. It’s not without reason that the veteran has collected Player of the Match awards in various franchise league finals all around the world.
Unlike some of her teammates, the 36-year-old relishes the stage when the lights are at their brightest. And although she enjoyed some good fortune along the way — dropped on 25 and 65 — Kapp masterminded a fantastic run chase with an unbeaten 81 that not only saw the Proteas over the line but also reignited their tournament hopes.
