03 Apr Sekhukhune Galvanizes Proteas Women For T20I Series Decider Against Sri Lanka
EAST LONDON: Proteas Women seamer Tumi Sekhukhune underscores the team’s motivation to build momentum and secure a convincing series victory against the challenges posed by subcontinental teams in spin-friendly conditions ahead of the T20 International (T20I) finale versus Sri Lanka in East London.
Following a win apiece for South Africa and Sri Lanka in the opening two games, the third and final T20I gets underway on Wednesday, 03 April at the Buffalo Park Stadium from 18h00. Tickets are available at the stadium or online via Ticketpro, with the contest broadcast live on SuperSport Grandstand (Channel 201).
Ahead of the series decider, Sekhukhune addressed the media during the pre-match press conference, highlighting the team’s ambitions in T20I cricket, particularly with the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup edging closer and the conditions expected in the host country Bangladesh.
“We need to get that momentum going. We need to (be able to) clean the series and get 3-0. With subcontinental teams now, we know that they’re going to come with spin, it’s time that we get in conditions (such as) in Durban, in Potch and here in East London to be able to play them very well. If we can get that right we’ll get that consistency in the cleaning series,” she added.
In the second T20I in Potchefstroom, the Proteas Women began their innings with the bat on the front foot as Anneke Bosch’s 32-ball 50 (4 fours, 2 sixes) helped the home side to 84/2 after 10 overs before Sri Lanka fought back to restrict South Africa to 137/8 to set up the memorable win.
While praising the team’s strong starts in the powerplay, the 25-year-old stressed the need for the middle-order batters to consolidate and build on the foundation laid by the top order.
“We’ve always wanted to get the score to 180+. That’s what we’ve been working on, getting a few partnerships up front and we’ve learned that in the powerplay. The women’s game is growing now towards the right direction where anyone, even the subcontinental teams, can score 150+. So it’s very crucial for us to get the batting in order and to get 180 plus consistently and we could also take that momentum to the World Cup,” Sekhukhune said.
Despite her sporadic appearances in the national squad, the DP World Lions bowler revealed her aspirations of representing South Africa in the upcoming World Cup. Acknowledging the challenges posed by injuries and limited game time, she expressed her eagerness to exhibit her abilities and earn a spot in the prestigious tournament after missing out on the previous edition on home soil last year.
“I’ve been in and out of the squad. From the tour to England (in 2022), I’ve had some hiccups here and there with my injuries and not getting game time. It was very difficult for me to come into the setup where we have proper bowlers and experienced bowlers.
“It’s my goal and dream to work towards getting into the World Cup squad and this is an opportunity for me now to just showcase what I’ve been doing the whole time,” Sekhukhune noted.
After claiming three wickets in the opening two T20Is, returning figures of two for 25 and one for 27 respectively, the medium pacer highlighted her commitment to continuous learning and evolution while reflecting on her approach with ball in hand in the ongoing tour against Sri Lanka.
“In cricket, you’re always learning and you’re always growing as well. I’ve been focusing on falling in love with the game again. Just hitting my lines and lengths and also just going in there, playing the brand of cricket that I’ve always played before and playing freely,” she added.
Audio and video featuring pre-match press conferences Proteas Women’s Tumi Sekhukhune and Sri Lanka’s Hasini Perera may be downloaded here.
Proteas Women Squad (T20I Only) – Inbound Tour against Sri Lanka
Laura Wolvaardt (Fidelity Titans, Captain), Anneke Bosch (Fidelity Titans), Tazmin Brits (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), Nadine de Klerk (World Sports Betting Western Province), Annerie Dercksen (Six Gun Grill Garden Route Badgers), 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), Eliz-Mari Marx (Fidelity Titans), Karabo Meso (DP World Lions), Nonkululeko Mlaba (Hollywoodbets Dolphins), Tumi Sekhukhune (DP World Lions), Chloé Tryon (DP World Lions)
Results:
T20 International Series
1st T20I
South Africa beat Sri Lanka by 79 runs
South Africa: 198/5 after 20 overs; L. Wolvaardt 102 (63), M. Kapp 60 (40); A. Kulasuriya 2/39, I. Priyadharshani 1/25
Sri Lanka: 119 all out after 18.2 overs; H. Samarawickrama 38 (33), H. Perera 30 (18); A. Dercksen 2/15, T. Sekhukhune 2/25
2nd T20I
Sri Lanka beat South Africa by 7 wickets
South Africa: 137/8 after 20 overs; A. Bosch 50 (32), M. Kapp 44 (36); A. Kulasuriya 2/26, C. Athapaththu 1/18
Sri Lanka: 138/3 after 18.5 overs; V. Gunaratne 65* (57), K. Dilhari 45* (28); C. Tryon 1/14, N. de Klerk 1/27
Fixtures – South Africa Inbound Tour vs Sri Lanka 2023/24
T20 International Series:
Wednesday, 03 April @ 18h00
3rd T20I – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Buffalo Park, East London)
50-over Warm-Up Match:
Saturday, 06 April @ 10h00
South Africa XI vs Sri Lanka XI (Buffalo Park, East London)
One-Day International Series – ICC Women’s Championship:
Tuesday, 09 April @ 14h00
1st ODI – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Buffalo Park, East London)
Saturday, 13 April @ 14h00
2nd ODI – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (Diamond Oval, Kimberley)
Wednesday, 17 April @ 14h00
3rd ODI – South Africa vs Sri Lanka (JB Marks Oval, Potchefstroom)
For media inquiries, please contact:
Lita Gqirana – Proteas Women Media Specialist
Cell.: (+27) 76 503 9655
Email: litag@cricket.co.za
ENDS
Issued by: Cricket South Africa – Corporate Communications
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