If South Africa is to win the Women’s World Cup for the first time, it will have to do without captain Dane van Niekerk, who will be missing when the tournament starts in New Zealand later this week.
The star all-rounder suffered an injury in January but the number two Proteas will still look to be one of the teams to beat in their opening match against Bangladesh in Dunedin on Saturday.
Van Niekerk, who has a batting average of 36.48 and has taken 130 wickets at 19.60 with his leg-spin bowling, slipped on the wet floor at home and broke his left ankle.
South Africa know they can cope without their leader – they have won their last five one-day internationals, with Van Niekerk missing for three of them due to injuries.
In his absence, fellow leg-spinning all-rounder Sune Luss pulled off victories against Pakistan, India and West Indies.
Lus believes his side’s high ranking, behind only tournament favorites Australia, does not put extra pressure on the players.
“It gives us the confidence to go into this tournament and play the kind of cricket we’ve been playing for the past year and a half,” Luss said.
South Africa, who have not progressed beyond the last four in the World Cup, lost to eventual winners England in a tense match before reaching the semi-finals in 2017 as the hosts got home with two wickets and two balls to spare.
They had topped their group at the T20 World Cup in Australia two years ago, but lost by five runs against Australia after a rain-adjusted chase in the semi-finals.
Despite being ranked number two in the world, South Africa are yet to win 14 matches against top-ranked Australia. He has lost records against England, New Zealand and India.
They lost to England again in a practice match on Tuesday, by six wickets in a rain-affected match, in which the teams were to meet in a round-robin stage on 14 March.
– Strong top order –
South Africa’s openers and bowlers will play an important role in the success of the team.
Lizelle Lee was named ICC Women’s One Day International Cricketer of the Year for her ability to score runs at the top of the order, with the elegant Laura Wolvaardt providing the perfect foil to Lee’s powerful striking.
What is worrying for South Africa is the rest of the batting line-up when the top two fail, although Luis and Mignon du Preez both have plenty of experience.
The hard-working Chloe Tryon is an effective lower-order finisher.
The attack will be led by Shabnam Ismail and Marijane Cup, who have been two of the most successful fast bowlers in the women’s game.
The veterans, aged 33 and 32, respectively, received player-of-the-match awards in the finals of the two biggest franchise competitions in women’s cricket.
Ismail starred for Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League in 2020 and for Oval Invincible in England’s inaugural The Hundred tournament last year.
The Ayabonga blueprint provides steady seam bowling support, while Luce is the side’s principal spin bowler.
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