Marizanne Kapp may have played 122 ODI’s for South Africa, but the Proteas all-rounder has admitted that she was ’nervous’ during the tense final overs against New Zealand in Hamilton.
Cape Town – Marizanne Kapp may have played 122 ODI’s for South Africa, but the Proteas all-rounder has admitted that she was “nervous” during the tense final overs against New Zealand in Hamilton.
Kapp was once again at the crease when the game was on the line just two days after leaving Trisha Chetty and Shabnim Ismail to take the team home against England.
She left nothing to chance on Thursday evening though by striking an undefeated 34 that saw South Africa home by just two wickets.
But no matter how many times the veteran all-rounder has been in that position, it doesn’t make it any easier.
“These [close] games have to stop now (laughs)!” Kapp said post-match. “I was nervous, I’m not gonna lie”
Another nail-biter from the #MomentumProteas as they continue to march on😅 👏
📷 ICC/Getty#CWC22 #NZvSA #BePartOfTheForce #AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/UpRgoL8ncK
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 17, 2022
Kapp, who also claimed two wickets to help dismiss New Zealand for 228, was once again the central figure in a Proteas team that despite enjoying a four-game winning streak have yet to play to their full potential.
Top-order batters Laura Wolvaardt and captain Sune Luus both struck half-centuries again, but there is growing concern over the form of Tazmin Brits and Mignon du Preez, who played her 150th ODI against the White Ferns.
“It was again a team effort, not our best because our perfect game is around the corner,” Kapp said.
🚨 RESULT | #MomentumProteas WIN BY 2 WICKETS
🇿🇦 Another tense encounter comes to an end with the #MomentumProteas re-writing the history books as they secure their first-ever victory over New Zealand at a World Cup
📷 ICC/Getty#NZvSA #CWC22 #BePartOfTheForce #AlwaysRising pic.twitter.com/2gx7YeEcRQ
— Cricket South Africa (@OfficialCSA) March 17, 2022
“We bowled a bit better against England, to be honest. Our batters have been struggling and we want to come out stronger. Luckily we won again. We didn’t bowl too well today, to be honest, and we just need a few more people to pick up the strands and we’ll be good.”
The Proteas are level on eight points with table-toppers Australia after four matches. The two unbeaten teams in the competition go head-to-head next Tuesday in Wellington.
@ZaahierAdams
