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Luus stars in warm-up win

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South Africa still sealed a comfortable win and one that will give them further confidence heading into the seventh edition of the World Cup

The Momentum Proteas Women made a winning start to their trip to Australia for the ICC Women’s T20 Cricket World Cup 2020 by claiming a comfortable 44-run victory over Sri Lanka in the first of two warm-up matches at the Karen Rolton Oval in Adelaide yesterday.

Suné Luus was the star for the South Africans, claiming a superb 4/20, although there were several other impressive displays by her fellow bowlers.

The batters also played their role, led by top-scorer Marizanne Kapp’s 44 off 44 balls (3x4s, 1×6), as 146/5 played 105/8.

It completed a good fightback and perfect result overall for coach Hilton Mooreng and his team as they wind down preparations for the February 21 to March 8 finals.

The Proteas made a woeful start to the game by losing both openers, Lizelle Lee and Dané van Niekerk, for ducks after they lost the toss and were put in to bat first – Udeshika Prabodhani (2/8) doing the damage for the Sri Lankans.

But Kapp then dropped anchor with her run-a-ball innings, allowing the likes of Mignon du Preez (28 off 27 balls) and Laura Wolvaardt (38 not out off 24 balls) to initially rebuild around her. Chloe Tryon’s swashbuckling 23 off nine balls then helped apply the finishing touches as South Africa set 147.

The islanders’ chase never really got going, especially after they lost captain Chamari Atapattu (1) seventh ball, to the outstanding Ayabonga Khaka, who returned figures of 1/5 in three overs. Van Niekerk (1/18) took out Harshitha Madiva (11), before leg-break bowler Luus wove her magic in her four magnificent overs.

Her wickets, aided by 1/15 by Nonkululeko Mlaba, sent Sri Lanka tumbling to 66/7, before Ama Kanchana managed to add some respectability to the score with her unbeaten 24 off 15 balls.

However, South Africa still sealed a comfortable win and one that will give them further confidence heading into the seventh edition of the World Cup that starts on Friday.

The Proteas, who share Pool B with England, Thailand, Pakistan and West Indies, open their campaign against England under Sunday night lights on February 23 at the WACA Ground in Perth.

World Cup Fixtures for the Momentum Proteas: (all local times)

Sunday, February 23

Match 1 vs England

WACA Ground, Perth from 7pm

Friday, February 28

Match 2 vs Thailand

Manuka Oval, Canberra from 3pm

Sunday, March 1

Match 3 vs Pakistan

Sydney Showgrounds Stadium, Sydney 3pm

Tuesday, March 3

Match 4 vs West Indies

Sydney Showgrounds Stadium, Sydney 7pm

Momentum Proteas ICC Women’s T20 squad:

Dané van Niekerk (captain), Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Mignon du Preez, Marizanne Kapp, Suné Luus, Chloe Tryon, Shabnim Ismail, Ayabonga Khaka, Masabata Klaas, Tumi Sekhukhune, Trisha Chetty, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Nadine de Klerk, Nondumiso Shangase.

Management: Hilton Moreeng (head coach), Salieg Nackerdien (assistant coach), Sedibu Mohlaba (manager), Abram Ramoadi (performance analyst), Russell Clarke (strength & conditioning coach), Tshegofatso Gaetsewe (team doctor), Molebatsi Theletsane (physiotherapist), Lucy Davey (media liaison).

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