Focus shifts to T20Is as Proteas Women balance formats in ODI World Cup year

The Proteas Women are set to commence their three-match T20 International (T20I) series against the West Indies on Friday, 20 June at the Three Ws Oval in Barbados.

The first of three T20Is will get under way at 2pm local time (8pm SAST) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport Cricket (Ch. 212).

The series marks a switch of formats following a successful one-day international (ODI) campaign, with the Proteas Women aiming to build on their 2-1 series triumph and continue their momentum in the shorter format.

Allrounder Annerie Dercksen, who featured throughout the ODI series, shared her thoughts during the pre-match press conference on Thursday ahead of the first T20I.

The Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers star highlighted the importance of maintaining a winning mentality in the T20Is, even in a 50-over World Cup year.

“Winning is very important every time we step over the rope. We always aim to win when we represent our country.

“With that being said, the 50-over World Cup is quite soon. We've got a T20 World Cup next year, June, so that also isn't far away. Coach Mandla (Mashimbyi) and his staff will also definitely be looking at some combinations that we can maybe use for that World Cup.

“Momentum is really important going into this 50-over World Cup, but then also keeping in the back of our mind that there is a T20 World Cup soon.

“We definitely don't take the series lightly,” Dercksen added.

'A FUNNY GAME'

After recording her maiden ODI hundred at the backend of the recent ODI Tri-Series against hosts Sri Lanka and India in Colombo, Dercksen also reflected on her performances in the Caribbean.

She pinpointed the difference in conditions and circumstances between the two tours, while praising the rest of her batting order for helping to take the pressure off.

"Looking back on Sri Lanka, it's probably a bit more of a low-scoring series for me than I had then but also taking into account that the conditions were very different there and I probably came in at very different situations.

“Those in the top-order and middle-order took control of that middle-overs period and we sort of had to come in and finish off games.

“That naturally means that you're playing a more high-risk game and the conditions were probably a bit in the bowling side's favour. The pitch slows down quite a bit but I still feel like I'm hitting the balls well in the net.

“Cricket's a funny game so you just need a couple of things to go your way and then you're right back in it. I'm not too negative,” the 24-year-old commented.

PROTEAS WOMEN SQUAD (West Indies Outbound Tour)

Laura Wolvaardt (Captain) (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (DP World Lions), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Ayanda Hlubi (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Sinalo Jafta (DP World Lions), Marizanne Kapp (World Sports Betting Western Province), Ayabonga Khaka (DP World Lions), Masabata Klaas (Fidelity Titans), Suné Luus (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World LIons), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Nondumiso Shangase (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), *Miané Smit (Knights) and Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)

*Uncapped in T20Is

FIXTURES

T20I Series

Friday, 20 June @ 8pm SAST

1st T20I: West Indies v South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)

Sunday, 22 June @  4pm SAST

2nd T20I: West Indies v South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)

Monday, 23 June @ 8pm SAST

3rd T20I: West Indies v South Africa (Three Ws Oval, Barbados)